Facing the Giant of Discouragement
Getting God's Help for Discouragement
Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish:
I called to the Lord in my distress, and He answered me.
I cried out for help in the belly of Sheol; You heard my voice.
The waters engulfed me up to the neck; the watery depths overcame me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. I sank to the foundations of the mountains; the earth with its prison bars closed behind me forever! Jonah 2:1-2, 5-6
I. Discouragement is a GIANT that is difficult to face
A. Discouragement comes as a result of disappointment in our selves
Then the Lord turned and looked at Peter. So Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, "Before the rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly. Luke 22:61-62
§ Discouragement is the result of disappointment: in ourselves, in others, in events such as war or politics.
§ Discouragement comes when life is not going right or good: finances, marriage, family, your life, your job, your career
B. Discouragement comes as an attack of Satan
"Simon, Simon, look out! Satan has asked to sift you like wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." Luke 22:31-32
C. Discouragement comes when we focus too much on who we are rather than Who God is
"Lord," he told Him, "I'm ready." Luke 22:33
D. Discouragement comes as a result of confusion about expectations - focusing on what others expect of you rather than what God expects from you
"Lord," he told Him, "I'm ready to go with You both to prison and to death!" Luke 22:33
E. Discouragement comes as a result of confusion about what to do in difficult situations
Peter was following at a distance. Luke 22:54
II. Discouragement is a time to look to Jesus for clarification
A. Clarify in your heart that Jesus is aware and is praying for you!
"But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail." Luke 22:32
B. Clarify in your heart that Jesus knows what is headed your way - HE knows your weaknesses.
"I tell you, Peter," He said, "the rooster will not crow today until you deny three times that you know Me!" Luke 22:34
C. Clarify in your heart the obstacles that need to be identified and accepted, dealt with, removed or overcome
And he went outside and wept bitterly. Luke 22:62
D. Clarify in your heart what Jesus is saying to you. "Lord, what would you have me do?"
"And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." Luke 22:32
1. What do you need to change or rearrange in your life? .priorities, time schedule, personal character, your focus, attitude.
2. What do you need to focus more on in life? .study of God's Word, prayer, fellowship with other Christians, witnessing.
3. What is the Holy Spirit trying to teach you?
4. What has God's WORD already spoken about concerning the obstacles in your life?
a) Sometimes we worry about what to do when God's Word is already clear about the subject
b) Inaction, when you already know what God's Word says, will lead to discouragement and confusion - there is no other remedy for your soul or your discouragement if God's Word has already spoken on the subject.
E. Clarify in your heart that Jesus has already died for your sins and your failures and wants to give you abundant life, full and free from discouragement.
"Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful." John 14:27
F. Life may bring you through the valley of despair - but look to the Lord where your strength is!
Why am I so depressed? Why this turmoil within me? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God. Psalms 42:11
1. Peter by the fire, then in the fire, but now he is on fire by the help and strength of the Lord!
But Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them: "Jewish men and all you residents of Jerusalem, let this be known to you and pay attention to my words." Acts 2:14
III. The greatest discouragement in the world will take place when the lost experience being thrown out of God's presence
Luke 13:25-28
Then you will stand outside and knock on the door, saying, ?Lord, open up for us!' He will answer you, ?I don't know you or where you're from.' 26 Then you will say, ?We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets!' 27 But He will say, ?I tell you, I don't know you or where you're from. Get away from Me, all you workers of unrighteousness!' 28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth in that place, when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but yourselves thrown out.
Rev 6:12-17
Then I saw Him open the sixth seal. A violent earthquake occurred; the sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair; the entire moon became like blood; 13 the stars of heaven fell to the earth as a fig tree drops its unripe figs when shaken by a high wind; 14 the sky separated like a scroll being rolled up; and every mountain and island was moved from its place.
15 Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the military commanders, the rich, the powerful, and every slave and free person hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16 And they said to the mountains and to the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17 because the great day of Their wrath has come! And who is able to stand?"
