How to Deal with Discouragement

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. Hebrews 12:3 You’re climbing the ladder at work, in marriage, or at church, with all the stimulus of getting to the top, but now you’ve hit a ceiling. And you’re tempted to respond in one of these ways: You give You throw up your hands in frustration, “I’m done… I’m done with this marriage. I’m done with this job. I’m done with this church. I’m done with Christianity.” You abandon hope. Well, I guess this is all my life is ever going to I’ll just have to grin and bear it. The light goes out in your life. You become a joyless person. You find an You turn to artificial stimulants like drinking or drugs, or you turn to an extra-marital affair or to gambling. Real people respond to discouragement in these ways, but you don’t have to. God says, “Do not grow weary in doing good” (2 Thes. 3:13). How? By “consider[ing] him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself…” (Heb. 12:3). Think about the trouble that came to Jesus as He went about doing good. They said He had a demon and hung Him on a cross. Think about Jesus healing ten lepers and only one coming back to thank Him. Think about the disciples’ slow progress: “Do you still not understand?” When you look at your progress in the Christian life, aren’t you amazed that Christ doesn’t throw up His hands and say, “I’m done with him. He isn’t worth it.” Our Saviour never tires of doing us good. Consider all Christ has endured. It will strengthen you and help you press forward. Has trouble come your way for doing something good? How are you tempted to respond? Written by Colin Smith Read by Sue McLeish www.openthebible.org.uk