When Discouragement Threatens Your End Game
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3
Discouragement is a temptation, I don’t believe discouragement is a sin, but it sure can lead us down a path to sinful behavior. When we allow ourselves to linger in the shadows of doubt and unbelief, we will quickly be ensnared into the devil’s trap.
I am often caught off guard by discouragement. It sneaks up on me and takes hold of my thoughts and mind quietly. By the time I notice it, I am already questioning my faith and God’s goodness.
I may become discouraged when I don’t get a job I applied for and be tempted to question God’s will for my life. When my plans don’t go the way I imagined, I may be tempted to curse God in my disappointment. As I sit worrying about how I am going to pay the medical bills, I am tempted to question God’s provision. Perhaps you have also experienced discouragement in your life that causes your faith to falter?
What can we do to keep Satan from using my discouragement to lead me to sin? How can we keep this negative voice from hissing in my ear? We want to stay positive and not give up when life gets hard.
Throw off what is hindering you.
It is normal to have days where you just want to give up. Maybe you feel like you want to crawl back in bed and have a good cry. It’s ok: Take a moment, let down all the walls, and cry it out. But don’t give up, don’t give in to the temptation to sin in your discouragement.
God loves it when we get real and have authentic conversations with Him. He is ready to hold you and wipe away your tears. He understands and cares about you.
But after you have laid your troubles at His feet, trust in God to work out the rest.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (ESV)
As you take a deep breath and wipe away the tears, you can throw off the covers and get out of bed, tossing discouragement aside. You are no longer hindered by the sins of discouragement!
Run with Perseverance
Perseverance means to be able to do something, despite negative circumstances. We know as we run the race, the race for heaven, toward an eternity spent with the Lord, we will encounter negative circumstances.
Read what I wrote HERE in a devotion called “The Hebrews 11 – 5K Walk”
How do we build perseverance? We need more than training or doing the right things. We need the right attitude. I like the spiritual building blocks Peter shares with us:
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you posses these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:5-8
Our goal is to be able to say as the Apostle Paul did, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (1 Timothy 4:7) So, despite the negative circumstances that will try to hinder us, let us persevere and finish well!
Fix your eyes on Jesus.
Have you heard the saying “Keep your eyes on the prize”? Discouragement can cause us to look down, stumble and fall. When life feels daunting, we may be tempted to stare at ourselves or the circumstances surrounding us.
When we are discouraged, it is easy to lose sight of the big picture. You are not alone in this race. Many have run before you and many are running alongside you. Others have endured far more adverse circumstances than you. I find it helpful to read about people who have successfully done what I am trying to achieve. Check out the Memoir section of the library to find an encouraging read.
Keeping our eye on the prize, not looking at our own circumstances will help us to remain fixed upon Jesus and finish the race well.
Consider His sacrifice so that you don’t lose heart.
Finally, consider the opportunity that suffering or hardship provides. It is in these times of hardship that the most growth occurs. You will find having gone through the tough times, you come out on the other side, stronger, wiser, and healthier than before.
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4
Discouragement is nothing new. Many great Bible characters suffered from discouragement at one time or another. You can hear the voice of discouragement in many of the Psalms written by David, yet he consistently went to God for his help. Job suffered much yet remained faithful. Jonah got angry and ran away. Moses was discouraged in the desert.
There is often cause for discouragement, the point is to not linger in this state. We can throw off what hinders us, run with perseverance, keep our eyes on Jesus, and consider Jesus’ sacrifice so that we don’t lose heart.
Heavenly Father, we fix our eyes on you as we run the race set before us. Forgive us for the times we lingered too long in a state of discouragement. We pray that your Word would encourage us to persevere through the toughest of times and that we would become stronger, more mature and healthier for staying in the race. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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