Don't Be Discouraged...God Will Make a Way!

Passage: 1 Chronicles 19:13

Main Idea:

Message Goal:

Introduction

Brothers and sisters, the mind is one of the believer’s most valuable weapons. This is why the enemy tries so hard to take our mind. The mind determines how we think and how our moral compass is developed. Therefore, whoever or whatever controls the mind inevitably controls the individual. This is why the enemy strives so fervently to take away the believer’s mind.

In 2009 it was noted—thirty-five million Americans (more than 16 percent of the population) suffer from depression severe enough to warrant treatment at some time in their lives. In one given period, thirteen to fourteen million people experience the disorder. (Clinton, T., & Hawkins, R. (2009). The Quick-Reference Guide to Biblical Counseling: Personal and Emotional Issues (p. 73). Baker Books.) A recent study as of 2020, has revealed that over 14.8 million individuals are now being treated for depression (NIMH » Major Depression (nih.gov)).

Yet, most times, before a person reaches depression they first experience discouragement. A story states,

The devil, according to legend, once advertised his tools for sale at public auction. When the prospective buyers assembled, there was one oddly-shaped tool which was labeled “Not for sale.” Asked to explain why this was, the devil answered, “I can spare my other tools, but I cannot spare this one. It is the most useful implement that I have. It is called Discouragement, and with it I can work my way into hearts otherwise inaccessible. When I get this tool into a man’s heart, the way is open to plant anything there I may desire.”

From the beginning of Israel’s history until the climax her story, Israel was warned against discouragement. To oppose the temptation of being discouraged, the Bible is clear that the people of God should be courageous. That is, they should “go in strength.”

Numbers 13:1-33 God sends Israel to Canaan to scout the land and He tells them to be of good courage in vs. 20.

2 Chronicles 32:7 when Israel was up against the Assyrians, Hezekiah took up confidence and instructed the people of Judah to be strong and courageous.

Isaiah 41:6 as the people of God are being ruled by pagan nations, Isaiah encourages them of their redemption—reminding them to be courageous.

All throughout the Old Testament, the people of God are admonished to have courage. The central reason for this is they always find themselves at a disadvantage.

Discouragement is a feeling of despair, sadness, or lack of confidence (Clinton, T., & Hawkins, R. (2009). The Quick-Reference Guide to Biblical Counseling: Personal and Emotional Issues (p. 80). Baker Books.).

Clinton and Hawkins (2009) determined there are three things that cause discouragement:

Lack of confidence in ourselves (Joshua 1:5-9)

After many failed attempts we experience in life can have a way of diminishing our faith. The most difficult thing to do in life is have courage in the midst of failure. However, we should use our failures as motivation. We should see failure as an opportunity to have courage.

AMG Bible Illustrations Don’t Be Too Proud to Fail

Thomas A. Edison recorded 1,093 patents. Most of these inventions were impractical or unmarketable. They were failures. But a man who invented the phonograph, the mimeograph, and the electric light bulb could afford a lot of failures. He was so inept in business matters that he lost control of the profitable companies that he founded, and yet in the depths of the depression, he died with an estate of $2,000,000. Edison was a successful failure. It is obvious that you learn as you fail. You also grow as you fail, but you must dare to fail. If you can fail enough, you will learn a lot; but if you are too proud to fail, then you will not enjoy success.

AMG Bible Illustrations Defeat Does Not Mean Failure

Booker T. Washington said, “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.” By taking two steps forward and one step back, we still continually move closer to the goal. A man who makes no mistakes is one who does nothing. Failure, disappointments, and setbacks are a part of life. We must learn not to identify with our failures. There are many, many examples of people who overcame backward steps. Abraham Lincoln ran for political office seven times and was defeated each time. Bobby Kennedy failed third grade and could not even take care of his own paper route. Babe Ruth struck out more times than any other baseball player. Ed Gibson, one of the astronauts on the Skylab III mission, failed first and fourth grades. Learn from your mistakes, but identify with your success. Press on, confident in your own ability to succeed, backed by the power of God. Never forget that people who accomplish great things believe they can do it.

Lack of confidence in God

Lack of hope for the future