Discouragement is a beast. A sneaky little beast.
Proverbs 13:6 (The Message) says, “Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick.” It can become a dark cloud overshadowing even hopeful and promising situations… especially when we practice giving in to it. Sometimes we’re good at that. The “giving in to it” part, I mean.
When you get to that point, it may be hard for someone else to snap you out of it. Sometimes “encouragement” from an upbeat person feels like salt in your wounds.
Our family really likes the book “I Like You” – I think it’s supposed to be a children’s book, but in our house, it’s for adults, too. It was written in 1965 by Sandol Stoddard Warburg. On page 27, she sums up that kind of disparity:
“They are so nice and hoo-hoo you could just about punch them in the nose…”
Ridiculous, I know, but pretty close to how it feels when we decide to be inconsolable.
The good news is when you get to that point, there is a way out. King David, when faced with death threats from his own men and major discouragement, took the high road to get out of his funk.
“David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.”
~ 1 Samuel 30:6 (KJV)
That’s your high road, too. Go back to God’s Word and remind yourself what He says about your situation. Stir up the hope that is in you. Remember all of the times God helped you in the past. Find your faith and patience again and let them strengthen you.
“Be like those who stay the course with committed faith and then get everything promised to them. “
~ Hebrews 6:12 (The Message)
Will you take the high road?
I struggle with making a distinction between; going first and winning the prize.
I don’t always trust people, at the same time, I don’t know when I am finished. There is a difference between “winning a prize” and “losing the contest”.
Thanks for sharing your insight, Tom.
Comments like “suck it up”, “you’ll be fine”, “snap out of it”, etc can do far more harm than good, if they are even heard by the discouraged person…
The fact that God never says the wrong thing is amazing, now how to shut up whining long enough to hear Him 8^)
Good one Scott 8^)
I am an advocate of “playing hurt” at times for a short season. I’m a bigger advocate of getting healed. God always knows what we need and how we need to hear it. You’re right – the secret is in getting quiet enough to hear Him.