1 Samuel 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
Hebrews 4:1et us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
James 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
We Christians have little control over life, but a lot of control over our victory. We are not just leaves tossed about with the wind, or driftwood which is at the mercy of the currents. "We are more than conquerers through him that loved us."God did not create us to live defeated lives. We may, from time to time, visit the house of discouragement and doubt- but we shouldn't live there! But don't be misled, if you're living in defeat you're outside of God's will.
I did not say circumstances would not sometimes be overwhelming! Nor that our own failures and faults will overwhelm us at times and make us feel like we are alone and forgotten in a deep pit. I am just saying God has given us all we need to get back out of the pit- back into the sunshine and in fellowship with God.
Look at David the king as an example. He returns home to find all that he loves carried away. As if that wasn't enough, his men blame him and want to kill him! Yet David rose above the circumstances; he climbed up out of the pit. He found encouragement before things changed, and then his change of heart led to a change in his behavior, which in turn led to a change in his circumstance, which finally led to a great victory.
Hebrews 4:1et us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
James 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
We Christians have little control over life, but a lot of control over our victory. We are not just leaves tossed about with the wind, or driftwood which is at the mercy of the currents. "We are more than conquerers through him that loved us."God did not create us to live defeated lives. We may, from time to time, visit the house of discouragement and doubt- but we shouldn't live there! But don't be misled, if you're living in defeat you're outside of God's will.
I did not say circumstances would not sometimes be overwhelming! Nor that our own failures and faults will overwhelm us at times and make us feel like we are alone and forgotten in a deep pit. I am just saying God has given us all we need to get back out of the pit- back into the sunshine and in fellowship with God.
Look at David the king as an example. He returns home to find all that he loves carried away. As if that wasn't enough, his men blame him and want to kill him! Yet David rose above the circumstances; he climbed up out of the pit. He found encouragement before things changed, and then his change of heart led to a change in his behavior, which in turn led to a change in his circumstance, which finally led to a great victory.
So how do we do this? How do we encourage ourselves when we are downcast, defeated, and depressed?
1) Begin with worship.
Genesis 22:5 and Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.
Revelation 19:4 And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.
Hebrews 1:6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
1 Corinthians 14:25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
Worship resets the order of life and diminished the issues, sins, and problems associated with it. Just like in the song...
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Worship reminds us there is light in the darkness: through Christ we have overcome death; are conquerors; have a home in heaven; and are being conforming us into his image. Worship is the natural remedy to our problems and fears.
Which brings me to the next step.
2) Ask the question- What is bothering me? What is making me like this? What am I dreading?
Psalms 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
Psalms 119:105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
I talk with people all the time who won't get to the root of their problem. It is like they are afraid to admit what they are really thinking. But I have learned that unless you admit the truth you can't overcome the problem. Shine a light on the issue. Quit letting it hide and make it face you. I know that it is painful to do so, but once you see the enemy you can defeat it. God will help you!
Which brings me to the next step.
2) Ask the question- What is bothering me? What is making me like this? What am I dreading?
Psalms 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
Psalms 119:105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
I talk with people all the time who won't get to the root of their problem. It is like they are afraid to admit what they are really thinking. But I have learned that unless you admit the truth you can't overcome the problem. Shine a light on the issue. Quit letting it hide and make it face you. I know that it is painful to do so, but once you see the enemy you can defeat it. God will help you!
Now you are ready for step three.
3) Claim Scripture
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
There is nothing you will ever go through that The Bible doesn't have a promise for. Just the other day I was reading in Phillippians and ran across the verse where Paul says, "the things which happened to me have fallen out unto the furtherence of the gospel." Understand Paul is in prison at this point in his life. Why? I think that is is because he was willingly refused to listen to a warning from God! But even his mistake was turned into a blessing! God can turn our mistakes into blessings; when you lose your temper, when you make a bad decision, when you have been lazy. Our victory is found in the Bible. Claim the verses that tell the world, the flesh, and Devil they are wrong! Use the promises of God as a rope to climb out of the pit. That is one of the primary reasons God placed them there!
The next step is...
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
There is nothing you will ever go through that The Bible doesn't have a promise for. Just the other day I was reading in Phillippians and ran across the verse where Paul says, "the things which happened to me have fallen out unto the furtherence of the gospel." Understand Paul is in prison at this point in his life. Why? I think that is is because he was willingly refused to listen to a warning from God! But even his mistake was turned into a blessing! God can turn our mistakes into blessings; when you lose your temper, when you make a bad decision, when you have been lazy. Our victory is found in the Bible. Claim the verses that tell the world, the flesh, and Devil they are wrong! Use the promises of God as a rope to climb out of the pit. That is one of the primary reasons God placed them there!
The next step is...
4) Pray about it.
Matthew 26:53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
Mark 9:29 and he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
Mark 14:38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
Acts 10:4 and when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Mark 9:29 and he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
Mark 14:38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
Acts 10:4 and when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Prayer takes our problems and makes them God's problems; and there's never been a problem God couldn't solve!
Finally...
Finally...
5) Go Forward and conquer for Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
Amen-
Amen-
