DEALING WITH DISCOURAGEMENT

By Dr. Kay Kuzma

Author, Radio Broadcaster, Counselor

 

Are there days when you feel discouraged? Nothing goes right? Your financial situation is bad, your spouse is depressed, and your kids have too much homework?

No matter who you are, what work you do , or whom you know, there are times when you get discouraged. I know, because I get discouraged; and I believe that no matter how difficult life is, there is always a solution. Discouragement happens to everyone.

Last night I went to bed feeling discouraged, and I woke up still feeling discouraged--all because of a computer! You laugh. I pride myself on being able to control my environment (what's around me). Now I had met something I could not control and was feeling frustrated. Why wouldn't the computer work? The computer was supposed to save me time. But instead the computer was using all my time. In the evening, when I should have been with my family, I was trying to learn to make the computer work. I read the computer manual and pushed button after button, hoping that I might find the right combination that would make the printer work. I just wanted the printer to print my materials.

This morning when I woke up, still discouraged, I decided that the Lord must be trying to tell me something from this experience. So I opened the Bible and thought that God would lead me to Psalm 27:14 "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thin heart: wait, I say on the Lord."

But that did not seem to be the message I needed today. "Lord," I prayed, "I cannot wait."

I decided to continue my search. I read Matthew 11:28-30 "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ... for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Wonderful advice. The computer was much too heavy a burden, so I decided, right then and there, to give the computer to the Lord--all $ 2000 worth of the computer! After all, the computer was purchased for God's ministry. And I would rather have the peace and rest that God offers than the computer!

My burden was beginning to feel lighter. But I felt that God must have more for me. At last I read Psalm 70. That was the solution I was searching for: "Make haste [hurry], O God, to deliver me, make haste [hurry], O God, to deliver me, make haste [hurry] to help me, O Lord." Those were exactly the words I needed.

I do not know where you are today, what you are doing, or what burdens and frustrations you may have. But if you feel discouraged, search for an aster in God's book, the Bible.

If you are not sure what to read, pick up a pencil and write a few of my favorite verses.

Start with John 14:1-4*. We have so much to look forward to. Let's keep our hope!

Joshua 1:9* or James 2:12* may be what you need to read.

Philippians 4:12-13* has another message of hope; other messages of hope are Proverbs 16:20* and Job 11:16-19*. If you need help quickly, try the prayer of Psalm 70: "Make haste [hurry] to help me, O Lord."

And perhaps when the Lord knows how desperate you are, He will tell a group of angels to work overtime to help you.

I feel better already. I hope you feel better, too.

 

DR. KUZMA'S BIBLICAL "RX" FOR DISCOURAGEMENT

 

JOHN 14:1-4 BBE [Bible in Basic English]

1 Let not your heart be troubled: have faith in God and have faith in me. 2 In my Father's house are rooms enough; if it was not so, would I have said that I am going to make ready a place for you? 3 And if I go and make ready a place for you, I will come back again and will take you to be with me, so that you may be where I am. 4 And you all have knowledge of where I am going, and of the way to it.

JOSHUA 1:9 BBE

9 Have I not given you your orders? Take heart and be strong; have no fear and do not be troubled; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go,

JAMES 2:12 BBE

12 Let your words and your acts be those of men who are to be judged by the law which makes free.

PHILIPPIANS 4:12,13 BBE

12 It is the same to me if I am looked down on or honored; everywhere and in all things I have the secret of how to be full and how to go without food; how to have wealth and how to be in need. 13 I am able to do all things through him who gives me strength.

PROVERBS 16:20 BBE

20 ¶ He who gives attention to the law of right will get good; and whoever puts his faith in the Lord is happy.

JOB 11:16-19 BBE

6 For your sorrow will go from your memory, like waters flowing away: 17 And your life will be brighter than day; though it is dark, it will become like the morning. 18 And you will be safe because there is hope; after looking round, you will take your rest in quiet; 19 Sleeping with no fear of danger; and men will be desiring to have grace in your eyes;

 

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