Psalm 42:5-8 NLT
“[5] Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again- my Savior and [6] my God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you- even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mizar. [7] I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me. [8] But each day the LORD pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life.”
Discouragement is a very real and prevalent human condition. It is one of the biggest challenges, especially, faced by those called to serve the Lord. No one is exempt from discouragement, even great men like Moses, David, Elijah, etc faced this challenge. Elijah was so afraid and discouraged that he asked God to take his life.
1 Kings 19:4 NLT
“Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.””
MY TIME AWAY
Yesterday morning, I flew back home from a short break (about two and half weeks), away from my family. The Lord orchestrated that I would “come away,” lay down everything, stop and rest. During this period, the only thing I continued to do was to send out the daily devotionals.
It was only after I had arrived and settled in my hotel room that I realised how exhausted, weary and vulnerable I had become. I was discouraged, despondent and almost in despair, and overwhelmed by everything! Frankly, I am amazed at the tender mercies and lovingkindness of our Father, because of how He arranged for me to go away; He knew I would not have gone under any other circumstances.
1 Kings 19:5 NLT
“Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!””
I spent the first week of my time away sleeping, reflecting, sleeping, crying, sleeping, talking to the Father and sleeping! I don’t think I’ve ever slept so much in my entire life! I slept in the morning, slept in the afternoon and slept during the night. I longed to have deep fellowship with the Father in prayer, but I was simply overwhelmed with sleep. I believe, however, that the Father watched over me as I slept, because His presence was strong; even though He did not say much. It was only after he had allowed me to sleep for one week, that the Father finally began to speak to me.
I have returned from my time away refreshed, renewed, revitalised. The Father has helped me to reassess my life, family and ministry, and recalibrate and realign myself to His plans and purposes. I have been given fresh vision and new strategies for the future. Faith, hope, trust and love for Jesus have been rekindled.
However, it occurred to me that many believers are going through a season of discouragement and fear. Many are struggling to make sense or find meaning to their journey of life. Many are in despair and losing hope. Many simply want to give up!
As I flew back home yesterday, I felt a prompting by the Holy Spirit to share on the topic of discouragement; to encourage anyone experiencing this to trust in the Lord. Therefore, for the next few days, we shall be discussing the topic of “Overcoming Discouragement.”
I trust that you will take time to follow and read these teachings as they will greatly benefit you. Also, please be kind enough to share these teachings with others. God richly bless you.
For Further Reading: 1 Kings 19:4-6; Psalm 42
Fulfilling Our Theme For 2024: “Building The Highway And Lifting The Banner”
“And in that day, there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles shall seek Him…. (therefore) Go through, go through the gates! Prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway! Take out the stones, lift up a banner for the peoples!” [Isaiah 11:10, Isaiah 62:10]
Women In Tune | QUIVER | Cedars House Christian (International)