The Nature of Discouragement

The Nature of Discouragement
By Dr. Charles Stanley

Discouragement is a powerful, destructive force. Before we can understand how to rid our lives of this deadly land mine, we must recognize its harmful nature.
Understand that discouragement…..

1. Is something we choose. No body else can make us discouraged; it is a choice that we alone make when facing disappointments.

2. Is universal. Everybody will face periods of disappointment and discouragement from time to time. This simply cannot be avoided, because we live in a seriously flawed world that is filled with equally flawed people.

3. Can Recur. Sometimes we think we’ve settled an issue, which later resurfaces when we least expect it. Or, we may have old emotional wounds that are torn open by something a person says or does.

4. Can be temporary—or it can destroy our life. The choice is ours. If we refuse to deal with the discouragement head-on, we are opening the door for it to completely dominate our life.

5. Is conquerable. With the Lord’s help, we can choose not to be discouraged. If we don’t believe discouragement can be conquered, then we’re actually saying God doesn’t want his children to have a rich and fulfilled life.

Are you stuck in the throes of discouragement? If so, it will simply be impossible to experience the peace and inner joy that God wants for his children. Let him help you find out of that lowly state: start by believing that the Father wants to lift you up and get your life back on track with Him.

Amy’s thoughts on this: So, sometimes I do find situations that are out of my control to fix are discouraging. Discouragement is something I choose. So going forward I am choosing not to let those obstacles get in my way of having my life right with the Lord. Weather it is work related or on a personal level this is something I can control. I know God is there and I know he is the All Powerful and I know he has a bigger picture for me and I know what he has planned is greater than something I could ever imagine. Rather than getting myself all worked up in discouragement and allowing the situations to control my feelings, I will be grabbing hold of those feelings, staying in prayer and releasing them and the situation that is frustrating to God. Life is can be a violent roller coaster if you allow it to be. Times will be rough and times will be smooth. It’s during the rough times that discouragement creeps in. Don’t let it. When you are in a rough spot know that you are NOT the driver, God is and sometimes the bumpy dirt road you are on is the one that leads to better things.

Any thoughts or comments?