Viable Alternative to Suicide
let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.”
It is quite easy for people to become discouraged in the world we live in today, quitting on a lot of things they used to hold on to like marriage, relationships, life, praying and studying God’s word. The result is a dampened relationship with God.
As a Christian, going through life here on earth, you face discouraging situations from me to me. Although this is not God’s original plan, we have all these issues to contend with because sin crept in. However, to strengthen your belief in God you have to take a stand against discouragement. You must have courage to overcome as Jesus overcame.
To encourage is to inspire with courage, spirit and hope. When you are hopeful for certain things and they don’t come through or you make certain plans, decisions and attempts yet they fail, it is natural to get disappointed.
Nevertheless, that is not the me to give up or give in, you must keep on trying, you must ask and keep on asking. When you ask God for things and it doesn’t seem like they’re forthcoming, it is your capacity to encourage yourself by inspiring your inner man with courage, spirit and hope that helps you to keep asking and trying and seeking.
There are classic examples of people in the Bible who when faced with discouragement had to inspire themselves or their people with courage, spirit and hope as the case may be. Hannah who suffered humiliation as a result of inability to conceive a child as opposed to her counterpart, Peninnah. (1 Samuel 1: 2; 2: 21). Elijah, a man who had conquered mightily at Mount Carmel, fled upon a letter sent by Jezebel. He got discouraged thinking that he was the only one still serving God against all odds (1 Kings 19). Caleb who had to encourage the people of Israel and assured them of God’s capacity to fight for them in times of battle (Numbers 13).
Moreover, you must guard your heart otherwise the enemy will creep in and sow discouragement which could dampen your faith or even lead to suicidal thoughts. It is your responsibility to have courage in your heart. How you value the promise of God in His word concerning whatever situation you are going through will determine how much that word will work for you. It is easier to stay discouraged than to inspire with courage, spirit and hope but you can choose otherwise.
Many people, books, teachings, words of wisdom, etc can encourage you but it is the encouragement that you allow the Spirit of God to breed in your heart that will see you through whatever circumstance you find yourself in.
Apostle Paul faced discouraging situations; he was oppressed and afflicted (2 Corinthians 7: 5-7). This tells us that nobody is immune to being attacked by discouragement. If you do not focus on building your faith, the enemy can take advantage of your situation to discourage you. You must acknowledge that God is your helper and reach out to Him.
Anytime God wants to do something in your life, He gives you a promise. Unlike the old testament when He took Israel to ‘the Promise land’s, in this new dispensation, God takes you through one promise after another and if you are not careful, discouragement can hinder you from having those promises come to fruition. It is important that you encourage yourself by inspiring courage, spirit and hope in your heart. Many things may not answer to just ‘taps on the door’, they might need to pushing the door before they answer. The Bible is filled with did ways to be encouraged.
CAUSES OF DISCOURAGEMENT
- Pressure
- Conflict
- Indecision
- Health Conditions
- Losses e.g. of loved ones, jobs and other possessions.
- Mockery
God admonishes us to inspire courage, spirit and hope amidst all of these. To encourage yourself you must study the word of God. If you are not armed with the word when the evil comes, what will your weapon of warfare be? You must exalt God’s word above any situation.
When David and his army arrived from a conquest to find their territory in shambles, he encouraged himself in the Lord and inquired of the Lord as to what steps to take and God directed him. You must ask God for Hid guidance to know what steps to take.
In case, you have not made Jesus the Lord of your life, I want to encourage you to do so because you cannot pull through discouragement on your own, you need the help of the Almighty God. Say this simple prayer with me: “Heavenly Father, I make peace with You today, forgive me my sins. Jesus, come into life; I surrender all to You. Be my Lord and my Saviour, take care of me in the midst of trials and troubles. I accept you into my life today and my life is all Yours. Thank you for accepting me, in the name of Jesus, Amen.”
God bless you.
For more information, please connect with Pastor Chris using the handle
@iamchrisugoh across all social media platform.