Have you ever been discouraged to the point you want to give up? How do we overcome discouragement? What do I do when I am discouraged? Who will help me? Discouragement is an enemy tactic satan uses regularly to prevent you from fulfilling God’s plans for your life. Think of the impact when discouragement causes a spouse to give up on a marriage or a teacher or police officer decides to move to a different profession. There are huge ripple effects anytime the enemy can stop you.
Nehemiah’s Enemies Tried to Discourage Him
God put on Nehemiah’s heart to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem that had been torn down by the Babylonians over a hundred years earlier. He had successfully completed the wall with the help of many people, but the gates still needed to be repaired. Before the gates could be completed the enemies of Israel were persistent in their discouraging attacks.
Nehemiah 6:9 They (Nehemiah’s enemies) were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us and stop the work. So I continued the work with even greater determination.[1] Nehemiah’s determination not to give up grew out of his relationship with the Lord. In chapters one and two of Nehemiah, he asked the Lord for guidance and strength. Relying on the Lord when things get difficult was part of Nehemiah’s relationship with the Lord.
The Lord Will Help You Overcome Discouragement
The good news is the Lord would like to encourage you today to move forward and overcome the discouragement in your life. Isaiah 41:10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. [2]
Isaiah tells us when we are fearful remember God is with you. When you don’t have the courage to go on, remember the Lord is your strength and will help you. When your arms are weak, remember the Lord will hold you up with His right arm that is victorious.
Rest in the Lord When You are Discouraged
When we are tired or worn out, we can be easily discouraged. Sometimes this can happen after a long season of life that has been draining and difficult. Just as a battery needs to be recharged, we also need to be recharged by resting in the Lord.
The spiritual discipline of rest is more than a mental break from the world’s rat race. It is a focused time to enjoy and invest in our relationship with God. The world offers endless distractions and temptations. God offers Himself.
Matthew 11:28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” [3] To hear how to overcome discouragement, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/rebuilding-unfinished-hope-personal-attacks
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.