The Wet Blanket Of Discouragement (#2)

BEWARE OF THE WET BLANKET... OF DISCOURAGEMENT

By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com This is part #2

I. I AM NOT HAPPY HERE?

A. HAYDEN PLANETARIUM ran several advertisement in different news paper.

The ad invited people to submit applications for those that would like to be the first

to journey to another planet.

Immediately there were 18,000 applications.

The applications were given to a panel of PSYCHOLOGIST to study.

The vast majority of the 18,000 applications replied THEY DESIRED TO START A NEW LIFE

ON ANOTHER PLANET BECAUSE THEY WERE SO DISCOURAGED WITH LIFE ON EARTH.

B. The man on his 5th marriage says: I HAVE FINALLY FOUND A GOOD WOMAN.

Later that year he was looking for #6.

C. IF YOU ARE NOT HAPPY HERE, WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU WILL BE HAPPY THERE?

II. LIFE CAN THROW MANY WET BLANCKETS AT US... WHAT WILL WE DO WITH THIS

WET BLANKET?

A. THERE IS A BATTLE --- THE BATTLE OF THE WET BLANKET... IT IS REAL BATTLE.

The fire at the campsite seemed to be out of control and several just stood and watched.

One man grabbed a blanket and ran to the river. He held the blanket by the corner and

threw it into the river's edge. He let the blanket soak up water, then he pulled the wet

blanket out of the water and ran up to the fire.

The WET BLANKET EASILY SMOTHERED THE FIRE...

B. WET BLANKET: grinch, kill joy, one that quenches or dampens pleasure/enthusiasm

A person who makes it difficulty for other people to enjoy themselves by

complaining and showing no respect or enthusiasm.

C. The wet blanket becomes a symbol of QUENCHING, DAMPENING ZEAL.

ELISHA, the preacher cries long and hard, because he sees what is coming ahead...

2 Kings 8:15 And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took a thick cloth, and dipped it in

water, and spread it on his face, so that he died: and Hazael reigned in his stead.

III. THERE IS A WET BLANKET WE CALL THE JUNIPER TREE EXPERIENCE.

IN OUR DISCUSSION OF REAL WET BLANKETS, WE MUST CONSIDER WHAT TIREDNESS

CAN DO TO OUR ATTITUDES... AN IMPROPER DIET CAN HELP BRING ON DEPRESSION...

A. I have a friend that has been terribly upset because someone UNFRIENDED them on

FACEBOOK? Well, get over it and go on... How many people would un-friend Jesus?

B. THE OLD PREACHER HAD BEEN UNDER SO MUCH STRESS. The queen has told many

she hates the Preacher and she is going to DESTROY HIS MINISTRY and KILL HIM deader

than a DOOR NAIL...

1 Kings 19:4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a

juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take

away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

C. Remember the OLD PREACHER has been SO BUSY doing God's stuff that he has not

rested in sometime...

God knew his man was TIRED, and that discouragement was DRIVING HIS MESSAGE...

and HIS MINISTRY... GOD SENDS AN ANGEL WITH A PLAN...

LAY DOWN AND REST --- THINGS WILL LOOK DIFFERENT IN THE MORNING

D. Elijah's diet was lacking ---

Remember when they asked JESUS, WHAT DID YOU HAVE TO EAT?

HE REPLIED, I HAVE FOOD THAT YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND: THE PRESENCE OF THE FATHER.

So there can be physical food and forget about the SPIRITUAL FOOD.

1 Kings 19:5 And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said

unto him, Arise and eat. 6 And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse

of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. 7 And the angel of the LORD came

again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.

8 And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto

Horeb the mount of God.

E. GOD'S FOOD WILL SUSTAIN YOU UNTIL --- 40 DAYS!

IV. LET US CONSIDER THE WET BLANKED OF THE BLAME GAME ALLOWING THOSE THAT

DISLIKE YOU ANGER YOU... FEAR OF REJECTION CAN DRIVE YOU THE WRONG DIRECTION.

A. I have a friend that has been terribly upset because someone UNFRIENDED them on

FACEBOOK? Well, get over it and go on... How many people would un-friend Jesus?

B. He who angers you, controls you.

If someone angers you, you are allowing them to LIVE RENT FREE in your brain?

Hebrews 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness