How to Encourage People Who are Facing Discouragement
Zech 4:6-7
6 "Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
7 Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it."
We live in a world filled with discouraging situations, discouraging financial news and discouraged people. Without question, the number one way reason that Christians do not ascend to the highest level of spiritual maturity is discouragement. After, 9/11, 70% of the people in American admit to feeling fearful, apprehensive or discouraged about life. People who are discouraged generally lack confidence, enthusiasm or the conviction to do what is best. Today, many people are easily dissuaded, deterred or detoured from the path God wants them to be on. When people feel disenchanted they are less likely to love, to give or to serve, as they should. Many people get sick and miss work because they feel discouraged. Millions are depressed and need medication for their bouts with depression. More Christians are disengaged from Christian fellowships today because they have somehow given in to feelings of discouragement or have internalized their setbacks and say, "What is the use". The following are a few principles that can be distilled from God's encouraging message to Zerubbabel.
1. He is our power source: The Lord will work through us, not by human, but by His supernatural Spirit's power. God will carry out His work through us by the power of the Holy Spirit who helps us do everything God asks us to do. Stop relying on your own feelings, friends or insights to come up with solutions to your problems. Try spending at least ten minutes every morning getting your power from God's word before you head out the door. Stop trying to fight the battles with your own strength. The battle is the Lord and He will give the victory over your fear, hurt, or feelings of discouragement. Jesus said, "All power and authority has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations." Praise God for His power in you to help you not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with the goodness given to you by the fruits of the Spirit. Many Christians live defeated lives because they are like a missionary I read about:
ILL - In a seminary missions class, Herbert Jackson told how, as a new missionary, he was assigned a car that would not start without a push.
After pondering his problem, he devised a plan. He went to the school near his home, got permission to take some children out of class, and had them push his car off. As he made his rounds, he would either park on a hill or leave the engine running. He used this ingenious procedure for two years. Ill health forced the Jackson family to leave, and a new missionary came to that station. When Jackson proudly began to explain his arrangement for getting the car started, the new man began looking under the hood. Before the explanation was complete, the new missionary interrupted, "Why, Dr. Jackson, I believe the only trouble is this loose cable." He gave the cable a twist, stepped into the car, pushed the switch, and to Jackson's astonishment, the engine roared to life.
For two years needless trouble had become routine. The power was there all the time. Only a loose connection kept Jackson from putting that power to work.
2. He is our pilot: The Lord wants to direct, guide and lead us in the ways out of the clouds of discouragements. The Lord told Joshua:
7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. (Josh. 1:7-9)
Do not think you have to pilot your way to your destination as the Lord wants to navigate your through all kinds of troubled waters. God told Jeremiah, "I know the plans that I have for you says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for harm, to give you a future and a hope." Look to the Lord's Spirit continuously to guide you with the still small voice of calm.
Song: "God will make a way when there seems to be no way. He works in ways you cannot see. He will make a way for me. He will be my guide, walking close beside my side. With love and strength for each new day. He will make a way for me."
ILL - Elizabeth Elliot tells of two adventurers who stopped by to see her, all loaded with equipment for the rain forest east of the Andes. They sought no advice, just a few phrases to converse with the Indians. She writes: "Sometimes we come to God as the two adventurers came to me -- confident and, we think, well-informed and well equipped. But has it occurred to us that with all our accumulation of stuff, something is missing?
She suggests that we often ask God for too little. We know what we need--a yes or no answer, please, to a simple question. Or perhaps a road sign. Something quick and easy to point the way. What we really ought to have is the Guide himself. Maps, road signs, a few useful phrases are things, but infinitely better is someone who has been there before and knows the way.
3. He is our provider: So many people are discouraged because they think they do not have enough money, materials or resources. Other people are discouraged because they do not have any close friends. Paul wrote, " 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Rom. 8:32)
Whatever you feel lacking in terms of motivation, friends or blessings, the Lord will richly supply you with in abundance if you will simply ask, seek and knock until the doors of blessings are poured out upon you. He is able to deliver you from any and all discouraging people, problems and predicaments. Our Almighty God is a Providential Giver. He provides for our needs with His timely care. The Providential God foresees what we need emotionally, socially, physically and spiritually. His beneficent care supplies us all our needs according to His rich reservoir of resources found in Christ. Jesus. 19 "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:19)
Trust Him to supply you with whatever you need financially, emotionally or socially.
4. He is our prayer intercessor: The Holy Spirit lives to make intercession for you according to the will of God. 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.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." (Rom. 8:26-27)
Many times we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit helps us in our weakness. He intercedes with groans that words cannot express. He searches each heart to find out where they are most discouraged and brings to bear all of the power, perspective and promises of God to your deepest need. Thank Him for being your greatest advocate.
5. He is our protector: Do not get discouraged if you are criticized, attack or falsely accused of something. David, who experienced many discouragements, worked through these feelings by praying,
"1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;" (Psa. 46:1-2)
God's Spirit provides you with the necessary strength, nourishment and whatever you need to be protected from all attacks. Paul wrote, 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" (Eph. 6:10-18) Memorize and meditate on God's word and draw up upon the rivers of living water found in the Spirit to refresh your soul and to protect you from all of the opposition that will come against those in the will of God. Let the arrows of opposition just bounce off of you. Be more like Teflon and let not the greasy stains of trouble soil your reputation.
Illustration: Be like Keanu Reeves in the Matrix movie. And let those darts just fly on by as you employ the shield of faith so you can withstand all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
6. He is our praise: The Lord wants to do great things through you so you can be used to give Him greater glory. Jesus said,
14 "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matt 5:14-16)
As you allow the Spirit of God to use you to encourage others through your love, service and inspiring faith, you will bring greater praise, honor and glory to please the Lord in all respects and bear more fruit through His Spirit's power. He will use you to be a greater blessing to others if you will give Him greater praise with your lips as well as your life.
Illustration: Let the joy of the Lord be your strength. Sing unto the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things. His right hand and His holy arm has gotten Him the victory.
HOLY SPIRIT, power of
Author Jamie Buckingham once visited a dam on the Columbia River. He'd always thought that the water spilling over the top provided the power, not realizing that it was just froth and that deep within turbines and generators transformed the power of tons and tons of water to electricity--quietly, without notice, not like the flashy froth on top.
