Extract from Open Heaven
MISSION OF DISCOURAGEMENT
Thursday November 6th, 2008
MEMORIZE: "And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and
David rescued his two wives" (1 Samuel 30:18)
READ: Joshua 14:6-15
One
great lesson any child of destiny should learn from 2 Kings 6:13-14, is
never to be discouraged. After repeated defeats, the king of Syria
still sent his soldiers after Elisha. Some of us give up too soon. The
only way you can be assured of victory in any endeavor is by keeping
your doors permanently closed on discouragement. Everyone goes through
moments of disappointments or discouragement but how you handle it, is
what determines what you are made of. David and his men encountered
discouragement in a formidable way. They returned home one day and
found that their wives and children had become slaves and their city
razed down by fire. They did not know where to start.
Leaders
must be careful not to express discouragement especially in the midst
of their subordinates. As a leader, you should have a word of hope for
the hopeless and stir up faith in the faithless. If the wind of
discouragement that sweeps over a congregation also prevails over the
leadership, then Satan would have a field day. Whenever the spirit of
discouragement comes, what does it intend to accomplish? It takes your
focus from God to the problem contrary to Hebrews 12:2. If you
concentrate on the problem at hand, it will be magnified. Discouragement
paints a picture of impossibility - that nothing can be done to remedy
the situation contrary to Luke 1:37. No matter how bad your case is,
something can be done. The One who specializes in turning the
impossible to become possible is around you, and if you can call on Him
today, He will presently send help. Also, discouragement makes you lose
the tears you should shed for joy to sorrow.
Remember,
whenever you weep as a result of discouragement, you lose something
precious. Discouragement robs you of strength, hope and direction.
Hence you should put all major decisions on hold when discouraged.
Discouragement blinds you to the solution to your problem. Hagar was
discouraged and feeling hopeless, hence she could not see the well of
providence beside her. Discouragement finally teams up with the spirit
of suicide and tells you there’s nothing to live for, go and commit
suicide. Don’t. You have a lot to live for. That end of the road is
actually the beginning of your turning point - the beginning of your
greatness. You are not alone. Help is locating you from above. Recount
God’s mercies, thank Him, reject the spirit of discouragement and
receive God’s guidance. You will recover all you have lost!
ACTIONPOINT: Some people are made
of steel, some of wood and others of stubble. Your attitude to
disappointment and discouragement reveals what you are made of.
d.e.l.e f.a.j
