Discouragement: July 23, 2010

Today's Word for Friday July 23, 2010

DISCOURAGEMENT

DEFINITION

An act or instance of discouraging; the state of being discouraged; to deprive of courage; hope or confidence.

SCRIPTURE

"But God, who comforts those that are downcast, comforts us." II Corinthians 7:6

"Fathers do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged." Ephesians 6:4

"Why are you downcast O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God." Psalm 42:5

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

Here in America we live in discouraging times. Nothing is more discouraging to a person than the news they see on the television or read in the newspaper. The unemployment rate is high and even those that have jobs are fearful of losing them. Oil is ruining the environment in the gulf. Many people are losing their homes and the future of a quick turnaround to our economic situation doesn't seem promising. So you see that there are plenty of reasons, humanly speaking, in our world to feel discouraged.

All families have to deal with discouragement at times. A child can be discouraged when he cannot find good friends, was not chosen for some role hoped for at school, or because of a grade on a test. For parents discouragement is a result of a souring relationship, an unhappy job situation, money concerns for the family, just to name a few. Discouragement does deprive one of courage, hope and confidence and there are many reasons in life for discouragement.

How we deal with our discouragement has a lot to do with our attitude. From the moment each of our children was born we were, as parents, committed to teach and train each child to live with a positive attitude. We were committed to provide them an environment of love and support. It was important to us as parents to make sure that our children were involved in church, in school, in sports and with their daily "household jobs" because being involved in positive activities is an important part in nurturing a child. It helps them learn, to develop relationships, keeps them active and busy. When any of us are involved in doing something positive we are less likely to be discouraged.

What we all need to do when discouragement comes our way is to look to the Bible for strength and answers for our concerns. God told Joshua to always be strong, have courage, do not be afraid and do not be discouraged for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. [Joshua 1:9] This verse should be read every time you become discouraged.

Do something positive when you begin to feel discouraged. Eliminate negative thoughts in your life. Each day give something, like a kind word, to someone you do not know. David said to Solomon, his son: "Be strong and of a good courage." As parents we need to remind not only ourselves but also our children to be strong in the Lord. Paul writes in Philippines 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Christ is our hope and through Him we can face life and our discouragements. One of the best ways to brighten any day, if you are discouraged, is to STOP for a few minutes and think about the blessings, the good things, that you have and then thank God for those blessings.

LEARNING

Our memory verse for this week is found in Ephesians 6:1

Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right.

PRAYER

Dear God, thank You for a new day and I ask for Your blessing on my life. Help me to not be discouraged today but to face each moment knowing that You are my God and that You are with me every moment of today. Bless my family, friends and those that need a special touch from You this day.