Another natural cause of discouragement has to do with our relationship with others.
3. Expectations From Others
We compare ourselves with others or use what others are doing to judge ourselves and our efforts; then we get discouraged when we feel we don’t match up. We allow what we think (or hear) others are saying about us to undermine our confidence, causing us to lose courage.
We put our trust in others and they fail us! Often, when people we are counting on prove unreliable and undependable, we end up being disappointed or discouraged. This is why the Bible admonishes us…
Isaiah 2:22 NLT
“Don’t put your trust in mere humans. They are as frail as breath. What good are they?”
During my recent time away with the Lord, after allowing me to sleep for one week, the Father began to speak to me (and I will share more about that later). However, one of the things that He clearly said to me was, “You must walk your own walk with Me and not another person’s walk.”
What the Father meant was that I must take my eyes off others and keep my eyes solely on Him, my walk with Him and His instructions to me. Although I may relate and work with others and learn from them, they must never become the standard by which I measure myself or my actions and assignments.
Focusing on the Lord and learning to “walk my own walk” with Him would help me minimise my expectations of others, stop me from comparing myself with them, and keep me from getting distracted or discouraged.
LOOKING UNTO JESUS
Actually, Jesus must be our example; we must take lessons from Him, especially, in how He allowed others’ actions to affect Him. Though Jesus loved all His disciples and the people, He remained true to Himself.
John 6:66-67 NLT
“[66] At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. [67] Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”
Over the twenty three years of Women In Tune, many have come and gone, as can be expected. However, one day, I decided to have an honest conversation with the Lord about it, just to clarify what was going on. The Lord simply replied, “Abigail, do you want Me to tell you how many left Me? Many left me too! Just keep your focus and keep your eyes on Me!”
I learnt a huge lesson that day; that I must not let the actions of others discourage me from continuing in the Lord and in my service to Him! Jesus did not put His confidence in people or allow their actions to deter or discourage Him.
John 2:24-25 TPT
“[24] But Jesus did not yet entrust himself to them, because he knew how fickle human hearts can be. [25] He needed no one to tell him about human nature, for he fully understood what man was capable of doing.”
Jesus’ experience was that, one moment people wanted to crown Him as King; the next moment they wanted to stone Him. One minute they shouted “Hosanna;” the next minute they cried, “Crucify Him!”
One of His disciples, Judas, betrayed Him for 30 pieces of silver, and all His other disciples abandoned Him at His deepest hour of need. Peter, who had boasted that even if all fell away he would never leave Jesus, vehemently denied that he knew Him, three time!
Yet, Jesus remained true to Himself; He forgave and restored Peter and the other disciples, and committed His Kingdom agenda on earth into their hands. He knew their human frailties and weaknesses, yet He allowed love to win the day.
Love must always determine and undergird our relationship with others and response to their actions. May the Holy Spirit help us to grow in love.
For Further Reading: Psalm 118:8-9; John 21:15-17; 1 Corinthians 13:1-7
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)