October 9, 2015 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Becoming Discouraged

It is not hard to become discouraged in today’s environment. There is trouble around us all. If you listen to the news each day, you might feel there is no hope. What we have counted on in the past—hard work and doing one’s best, political assistance or accountability, a friendly and safe community seem to be slipping away.

As we all know, the ‘last days’ will not be kind to anyone. Jesus said it would be nothing like what has taken place ever before on the earth. History has record of terrible and frightening events and catastrophes that destroyed civilizations, but what is ahead for us is so disturbing it is best not to dwell on what is about to occur. What we cannot do is too give up our hope and confidence. This will happen if we do not take proper steps in securing our future in Christ by having an ‘overcomer-attitude’.

My hope is in Christ alone, not in my works. He knows what is about to happen and always has a way of escape for me. He asks me to be faithful, of strong character, and willing to stay pure before Him. I can do that with His guidance and my willingness to endure.

All of this may seem impossible when you are discouraged that is why I think, no I know, that we must do things to keep discouragement from affecting our personality, our perspectives, and even our commitment to Christ.

I do not know how often you say, “I am so sorry” to God. To be quick and sincere when you realize your mistakes or sins is one matter, to be repentant is another. We need repentance and a willingness to change—this is a daily positional stance we all need too have. I have found repentance of wrong behavior, thoughts, motives that are not pure and God honoring to be one of the corner stones in my relationship with Christ. Exercising forgiveness seems to melt away any discouragement I have, try it.

You will always become discouraged when things do not go smoothly, if you do not have peace within your heart and mind. How do we stay at peace with others and ourselves? God says to always stay in an attitude of prayer and pray about everything! Short prayers, long prayers, scripture prayers, common prayers—just keep praying by giving what you feel or are concerned about to God. Tell God that whatever the problem is, “God this problem is now yours!”

Put music in your life that helps you to believe. A great song to help with this is, ‘Still Believe’ by Kim Walker-Smith (album Still Believe). Songs that talk about believing (not so much hope or faith) is what we need to be singing. If we know what we believe in and express that belief, then you give the opportunity for hope, faith and love to work in your life. “Yes Lord, I still believe. I believe that discouragement and hopelessness has no place in you. I believe that who you are and what you did is enough for me!”

So often we are not truly thankful to God. In fact, that is usually the last thing we do in our walk with God—to be thankful. I try to be thankful about little things in my life. When something happens I say, “Thank you Jesus.” When I am thankful about the nonessentials then things that are critical seem easier to being to be thankful about even though the situation has not turned around. The Bible says to be thankful in all things—no matter the circumstances we need to be in an attitude of thankfulness. Thankfulness will drive discouragement away. If Peter could sing after being beaten and thrown into prison, we can be thankful no matter what circumstances may come our way. Be thankful in order to be encouraged.

Let me say this again—let’s pray, sing, and be thankful in order for encouragement to be ever present in your lives.

WWJWMTD

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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