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When A Christian Gets Discouraged
Contributed by Jimmy Chapman on Jul 24, 2013 (message contributor)
Summary: some things that a discouraged Christian will do
Discouragement doesn’t discriminate. Even the best Christians come under its power at times. It is the chief occupational hazard of the Christian.
Notice what we will do when we get discouraged,
I. WE WILL PRAY THE WRONG THINGS
II. WE WILL PONDER THE WRONG THINGS
We have to guard our thinking or we will become discouraged. You have got to be careful what you say to yourself.
Discouraged people think the wrong things.
Wrong conclusions will bring wrong solutions!
III. WE WILL PROCLAIM THE WRONG THINGS
When you are discouraged, you had better watch what you say!
When discouraged, you had better set a watch upon your lips.
See Mark 4:35-38.
Discouraged and frightened they questioned the Lord’s care.
IV. WE WILL PERFORM THE WRONG THINGS
When we get discouraged, we so often do things that we later regret. It is wise to never make an important decision when you are discouraged.
V. WE WILL PERCEIVE THE WRONG THINGS
Discouragement sees problems instead of the power. Discouragement sees obstacles instead of opportunity.
A. We see giants instead of God (Numbers 13:30- 33)
THEY HAD THE WRONG FOCUS.
THEY HAD THE WRONG FEAR.
B. We behold difficulties instead of Deity
See John 5:1-9. .
His will was crippled by what he saw.
Conclusion
Discouragement will get you out of the will God if you allow it to have its way in your life.
If you are going to defeat discouragement you must REFOCUS.
1 Samuel 30:6 - “And David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.”
APPROACH GOD IN PRAYER – We do not bring our problems before God in prayer that He may see them, but that we may see Him!
APPROPRIATE GOD’S PRECEPTS