Sunday, March 1, 2015

DISCOURAGED?



                  Why art thou cast down, O my soul and why are you disquieted within me? 
                                                          Psalm 42:5


Think about it - sometimes we do get discouraged.  Sometimes with good reasons:
You didn't get the job  you wanted….or the promotion….or the pay raise.
Your pregnancy test comes back negative….again.
The cancer has returned and decisions must be made as to treatment options.
Old age is creeping in and you feel it in your joints.  You are in pain.
The car, washing machine and computer all decided to quit at the same time.

No matter what the reason for your discouragement, it is real.  We are human…
                    For He knows our frame, He remembers we are dust.  Psalm 103:14

What we should NOT do:  We should not be giving a stern lecture to ourselves, condemning ourselves for FEELING like we do.  We are human.  We WILL feel various emotions, including discouragement. 

What CAN we do to cope with discouragement ?
1.  Admit that you feel discouraged by what has been happening.  

2.  Trust God and His goodness -  He will only allow circumstances to come to  you which first pass through His loving hand.  Even though difficult, He wants you to depend on Him while He changes the circumstances or carries you through.

        "It is the Lord who goes before you; He will be with you, He will not fail you or 
                  forsake you;  do not fear or be discouraged."  Deuteronomy 31:8

By God's grace as we learn to view things from God's perspective, our eyesight becomes clearer and we find discouragement lifting.

Then we will be able to say with the Psalmist: 
                Why art thou cast down, O my soul and why are you disquieted within me?
                Hope in God for I shall again praise Him, my help and my God.  Psalm 42:5


'Reflections of God's Glory' copyright 2014 Dawn Ulmer deu49097@yahoo.com
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