Finding Strength in Discouragement

John 14:1

John 14:1 ESV

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.

Isaiah 41:10 (KJV) Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

This is both a command and a promise.

In the last few moments leading up to this statement in John 14, Jesus had indicated one of the disciples is a deceiver (John 13:21) and predicted Peter will deny knowing Him at all (John 13:38; Luke 22:34) and also points to His impending death (John 12:7, 23–24).

Yet, Jesus takes the time to reassure the disciples directly, telling them not to be "troubled."

Jesus had been troubled. This comes from the same Greek root word describing Jesus' spirit in verses like John 11:33 and John 12:27; which is important because Jesus was, in those verses, troubled and now he is telling the disciples to not “LET” themselves be troubled about what he just told them and the situation of their world.

Jesus is not commanding anyone to "be happy," but to "be brave."

Spiritual Darkness, is a reality that none of us can avoid. It permeates our existence. A colleague, Danny Daley, posted these words today, “we have to see darkness for what it is and still be able to maintain joy in its midst.” There is a lot in this world that causes concern. But, such was true in Paul’s time and yet he could write, “Again I will say, rejoice!”

This is the advent week in which we are celebrating Joy.

So, teaching them how to endure hardship without losing trust.

"trust God and trust Me," encouraging faith in the face of what's about to come.

I think Carl and Geneva both expressed that our faith is not wishful thinking, but trust and hope which are anchors of the soul helping us endure hardships.

In it, we are given two strong commands; one is “let not” and the second is “belief.”

Jesus is the light in the darkness, he guides us in the growing tide of darkness, all around us, and points the way.

Many of us have heard the expression “whether the storm, weather the storm.” hang on, until the darkness fades and the storm passes.

Is anyone old enough to remember the song. “There’s got to be a morning after?”

The song is about weathering the storm (figuratively and, in the context of the movie, literally), knowing there has to be a morning after when it will all be over.

Ironically, when this song gave McGovern a healthy professional life as a singer, her private life was in shambles. She was going through a lawsuit with her first manager; she was divorcing her husband; and she found out that her mother had been diagnosed with colon cancer. Since then, McGovern has received letters from people telling her how much this "generic hope song" (as many people call it) helped them cope with the downside of life, which has helped her realize in later years how meaningful the song really is. Many years after the release of this song, McGovern became involved in organizations to help people realize how music can heal.

Title of the Sermon is finding Strength IN Discouragement, not get rid of discouragement then you’ll find strength.

James words 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.

Personal story: vegan tuna and real tuna.

Chopped, the tv show.

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

Discouragement, like many other emotions, is a temptation very “common to man” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

And in dealing with it, sometimes we need tenderness and other times we need toughness.

But either way discouragement is not to be tolerated or wallowed in. It’s to be fought against.

Jesus does not want us to be discouraged. In fact, he commands us not to be. In other words, “Don’t let your hearts be ruled by what you see. Let them be ruled by what I promise you.”

First, we ask,

“Why are you cast down, O my soul?” (Psalm 42:5). Press for an answer.

Second, we preach to our souls to “hope in God” (Psalm 42:5).

Don’t listen to discouraging self-talk; preach courage-building promises.

Third, we lift our drooping hands and strengthen our weak knees (Hebrews 12:12).

Pick up our Bibles and get on our praying knees and pursue the strength that God supplies (1 Peter 4:11).

Fourth, we make straight paths for our feet (Hebrews 12:13).

Get out of the mental or physical place that is making us stumble in discouragement.

Fifth, we strive for holiness and fight for holiness (Hebrews 12:14).

We are made holy through faith in the justifying work of Christ, and we walk in holiness through the obedience of faith (Romans 1:5). Walking by faith in Christ is not easy. It is a striving (Hebrews 4:11); it is a fight (1 Timothy 6:12). It’s meant to be hard. God has all sorts of sanctifying good for us in all the fighting he requires of us.

There is also a command for us to be encouragers, people who foster courage in others and to not be of the company that robs people of courage.

Remember that I am a God of surprises: I am not limited by the way things are or by the paltry possibilities you can see. I am infinitely creative and powerful. With Me all things are possible! The longer you wait for your prayers to be answered, the closer you are to a breakthrough. Meanwhile, waiting for Me — aware of My loving Presence — is a blessed way to live. I am good to those who wait for Me.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. — Joshua 1:9(NIV)

Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” — Matthew 19:26 (NKJV)

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. — Lamentations 3:25–26(NKJV)

A PRAYER ENCOURAGE YOUR SOUL

Father, we thank you this day for a fresh outpouring of encouragement. In the name of Jesus, I decree and declare that we are more than conquerors; that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Lift our heads above  defeat and discouragement. We thank you for giving us renewed strength to overcome every obstacle standing in the way of happiness and our victory.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.