The Antidote for Discouragement

“...Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat.” - 1 Samuel 1:7b

Do you know the only cure for hopelessness is hope? Often times our circumstances, people, or just the worries of this world can take us to this place of hopelessness if we are not careful. Discouragement is a dangerous thing that can very quickly take away our joy that is rightfully ours in Christ.

Hannah is truly an amazing story. Life was rough. Being mocked, barren, and not being able to have the one thing she desperately desired, a child took away most of her hope. When she hit bottom she went to the temple to find hope. We can always find hope in Yahweh and that is what happened for Hannah. You can read about it in Samuel 1.

Are you tired? weary? discouraged? Take a few notes from Hannah:
- She honestly prayed to God
- She was encouraged by others
- She put the matter in God’s hand (no more “woe is me”)

Many times the antidote for discouragement is telling God how you really feel and then leave your problems with Him. Then rely on the support of good friends and Godly counselors. We need people to help us walk through despair and discouragement. Be encouraged today, our God is greater than whatever you are facing today. Remember that discouragement changes to hope when you add God to the equation.

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed, perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;” - 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Further Reading: 1 Samuel 1, 2 Corinthians 4

Training Camp

"Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." - 1 Timothy 4:7-8

I love to workout. If I could I would work out, play basketball, football, volleyball, soccer, or some kind of sport everyday. I set my hope on being in good physical shape and living a healthy life and the drives many of my decisions and training (sometimes too much). The example in 1 Timothy 4 is essential for us to grasp as followers of Christ and relates to each one of our lives.

In verse 10 it says, "For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God..." Paul shows us how our relationship with Christ is just like many things we strive for in our lives. Did you set the goal of winning that state championship? Did that drive you to train? To push through the hard times? To keep going when you felt like giving up? You knew the end goal and weren't satisfied till you reached it. What about a relationship or job? Maybe a promotion or work goal. Do you train and focus on reaching it? Does it consume you?

Take a step back and look at 1 Timothy 4:6-10. If you say you are a follower of Jesus Christ your hope needs to be set on the living God. When our hope is set on the living God the things of this world fade. Our training shifts from selfish motives to selfless motives. Our focus shifts from the temporal to the eternal. We take every advantage to grow ourselves in the image of Christ and gain wisdom and understanding. Where is your hope set? We as believers must understand it takes blood, sweat, and tears to train ourselves for godliness. We must not run from it but embrace it.

When Everything Falls Apart

This past week I have been listening to Fee's cd Hope Rising. The song Everything Falls has been an encouragement to me and I just wanted to share the lyrics with you.

you said
you'd never leave or forsake me
when you said,
this life is gonna shake me
you said
this world is gonna bring trouble on my soul
this i know

when everything falls apart
your arms hold me together
when everything falls apart
your the only hope for this heart
when everything falls apart
and my strength is gone
i find you mighty and strong
you keep holding on
you keep holding on

when i see
the darkness all around me
when i see
the tragedy has found me
i still believe
your faithful arms will never let me go
and still i know

when everything falls apart
your arms hold me together
when everything falls apart
your the only hope for this heart
when everything falls apart
and my strength is gone
i find you mighty and strong
you keep holding on
you keep holding on

?shallow? i last for the night
but hope is rising with the sun
(its rising with the sun)
there will be storms in this light
but i know you will overcome

when everything falls apart
your arms hold me together
when everything falls apart
your the only hope for this heart
when everything falls apart
and my strength is gone
i find you mighty and strong
you keep holding on

when everything falls apart
your arms hold me together
when everything falls apart
your the only hope for this heart
when everything falls apart
and my strength is gone
i find you mighty and strong
you keep holding on

you keep holding on

"No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:5-9