Handling Disappointment and not becoming Discouraged

Theme: Walking by Faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit (who is situationally aware) will Keep us Encouraged

Paul received a situational awareness update from God at Corinth.

Text: Acts 18:1-11

18 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3 and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.

5 When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. 6 But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

7 Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. 8 Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.

9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” 11 So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.

We have all been disappointed at one time or another. In fact, it would be surprising if we went through the week without encountering some kind of disappointment. We are “appointed” (set in a certain direction) for something to happen a certain way, and when it doesn’t happen that way, we become “dis-appointed”.

Disappointment not dealt with turns into discouragement. If we stay discouraged very long, we are liable to become devastated, and devastation leaves us unable to handle anything.

Joyce Meyer, in her book, “Straight Talk on Discouragement” suggests that there are many devastated Christians lying along the roadway of life because they have not learned how to handle disappointment. The devastation they are experiencing now most likely began with a minor disappointment not dealt with.

Jesus healed all who were oppressed of the devil. Discouragement is from the devil.

Acts 10 38 … God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, [and he] went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

It is not God’s will for us to live discouraged, devastated, or oppressed lives.

When we learn to place our hope and confidence in Jesus and resist the devil at the onset of disappointment, we can live free from discouragement.

James 4 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you... 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Paul was disappointed but not discouraged…

Acts 18 1 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus (which is in Bithynia Turkey along the Black sea coast), who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius (the 4th emperor of the Roman empire from 41 to 54 AD) had ordered all Jews to leave Rome (antisemitism). Paul went to see them, 3 and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.

5 When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. 6 But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

7 Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. 8 Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.

After Paul’s disappointment God reappointed him with a situational awareness update…

Situation - a set of circumstances in which one finds oneself.

Awareness - knowledge or perception of a situation or fact.

Update - an act of bringing something or someone up to date.

9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”

God says Paul and to us…

1. Don’t be afraid

2. Keep on Speaking

3. I am with you

4. No one is going to harm you

5. I have many people in this city

Don’t be afraid

2 Timothy 1 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Keep on Speaking

1 Peter 3 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Matt. 5 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Romans 1 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

I am with you

Matt 28 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Acts 1 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

No one is going to harm you

Isaiah 54 17No weapon formed against you shall prosper,

1 Cor 6 19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price…

I have many people in this city

Matt 9 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Galatians 6 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Paul made an adjustment...

11 So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.

Paul was disappointed but not discouraged and certainly not devastated, because he never ceased to trust God and to seek God’s leading.

So, if we are disappointed don’t become discouraged, just listen for God’s situational update and make an adjustment!

Pray while you wait for the update...

1 Thess 5 17 pray without ceasing

Study while you wait for the update...

2 Tim 2 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Psalms 143 10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good [Holy] Spirit lead me on level ground. NIV

God said this to Paul at Corinth and listen as he says it to you and me today, remember!

1. Don’t be afraid

2. Keep on Speaking

3. I am with you

4. No one is going to harm you

5. I have many people in this city

Overcome disapointment with faith...

Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”