Christians get discouraged for many reasons, a few of which I
will mention. I also want to take a look at understanding
discouragement, as I have the idea that some people are discouraged
because they set their attainment goals too high. Others may be
discouraged by genuine failure and are unsure if there is a way of
recovery. So, in order to share a little encouragement I aim to give
examples of a simple strategy that one well-known New Testament writer
uses again and again. He definitely believed it was a strategy that
would encourage. See if it does that for you.
- GLOOM
Discouragement is a loss if optimism causing you to feel despondent and
often lethargic. Discouragement is an experience that may cause you to
question or abandon some of your goals. The experience may vary from
short-lived discouragement to something deeper that might lead to
feelings of depression.
Well, why are you discouraged?
Something has turned out worse than you were expecting. That longed for
promotion didn't happen, a relationship soured, the examination results
were not brilliant after all. Or perhaps you tend to be self-critical,
down on yourself. You think you compare unfavourably with others, or you
had an argument with someone and now feel sorry for the
misunderstanding, you simply wanted to be more successful but never made
the grade and now life is slipping away and you are not young anymore.
Some
of these issues are undoubtedly one of temperament. Some people with
perfectionistic traits are never happy, because whatever happens in
life, church, the pastor, husband, wife, children, house, the car, the
weather - everything in life is imperfect and less than it ought to be.
- HANDLE
If you are seriously discouraged try to get a handle on it. Aim to
recover a little bit of realism and self-understanding. Sometimes a
confidential talk with a responsible and mature friend, your pastor or
church leader or suitably qualified counsellor may help. So, this
article is not a substitute for relevant and professional help.
Remember
too that the historic Genesis fall of our first parents, the fall into
sinful rebellion has affected our thinking, our minds and bodies. At
times we may even loathe or hate ourselves in an unhealthy way.
Now
let's see how Peter set out to encourage some early Christians. The
strategy straight from God's word is simple and direct. If you are a
discouraged child of God, a person who has trusted in the Lord Jesus
Christ for salvation, this is for you.
Look at what Peter says; he
says by God's 'great mercy' you have been 'born again to a living
hope', you have received a rich inheritance that will never fade 'kept
in heaven for you' (1 Peter 1:4). So, remember what you already know and
refocus on the great and glorious things God has done for you. One way
to attack discouragement is to recover hope - the strong, secure
promises of God.
Peter reminds them that the salvation they have
received did not just come out of the blue, totally unexpectedly, but
was carefully revealed by various prophets in past centuries, when the
'Spirit of Christ' then even 'predicted the sufferings of Christ and the
subsequent glories' (1 Peter 1:11).
- PLAN
Peter says that the ministry of the Old Testament prophets was such
that; 'It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but
you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look' (1 Peter 1:12). They were serving 'you'!
There
are many other things Peter says, but this little sample shows his
strategy. How does it work? Here are exalted words that reveal the
extent of the sheer glory and extraordinary lengths to which God has
gone to save people for his own eternal glory and praise. So, Peter
says, look at the marvel of what God has done for you.
He repeats
how all these events and ministries and even Jesus Christ's death and
resurrection and the preaching of the great good news in the power of
the Holy Spirit, all these amazing things, so beyond human thought that
they even baffle the amazed angelic powers in heaven itself, were
accomplished with a special goal in view - they were all done for 'you'!
Does that stir your sense of wonder?
- FOR YOU!
Now we can see Peter's strategy. It simply reminds Christians how great,
how wonderful and marvellous, nearly beyond words, are all the things
that God has done for us, as individuals - even for YOU. When someone
does something for you that surprises you and makes you feel valued, you
deeply appreciate that. Now, Peter applies that in an all-surpassing
way to what God has done for each one of his children. With this renewed
sense of wonder, they find they are given strong courage to persevere
and to give thanks to God, as we remember we walk by faith and not by
sight.
Of course, this is not the only way to encourage
Christians. This goal focuses on one of the ways the Apostle Peter
encourages Christians in his first letter by the teaching that he shares
on the exalted themes of all that God has done in Christ - Oh, what a
wonder, how glorious! If such things have been done for you, why
wouldn't you have your courage renewed?
To God be the glory, great things he has done!
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