Look around. It is easy to get discouraged.
-A 6 year old shoots his teacher. He got a hold of his mother’s gun and took it to class.
-4 college students in Idaho are murdered.
-Healthy, fit athletes have “medical events” and collapse, some die.
-My retirement (such as it was) took a huge hit in 2022.
-Eggs are $6 a dozen. $6!!!
-Overdoses and suicides are reaching alarming heights.
-Loss of a loved one. Loss of a job. Wayward child. Loss of faith. The list is endless.
So is discouragement. David experienced it. “Why are you downcast, O my soul?” (Read the rest in Psalm 42:11)
Moses was so downcast at one point about the Israelites that he asked God to take his life. Elijah, after his victory against the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel, ran and hid out from the wrath of Jezebel. He wanted to die. Jeremiah. Even Paul was overwhelmed from time to time.
Discouragement is a normal reaction. Life is hard and all we see are mountains, rocky paths, and never-ending obstacles.
But we have a promise from God that He is faithful. His love never ends and His presence never disappears. His steadfastness never wavers and His faithfulness never changes.
I don’t always know what is coming. No one does. I don’t always know where it will end up. No one does. I just know wherever that is, God will be there to meet me.
Even when I can’t “see” Him, I can trust Him. As I read recently: “We can trust His heart, even when we can’t see His path.”
I have to admit, Bill, that we live in times filled with more discouragement than encouragement. But we know we can trust God in all things. He is the only One who can see from beginning to end, and can lift us up when we’re feeling low.
Blessings!
Sadly, you are correct Martha. But I am also glad I can hold onto the only One who can see what is coming.
The world is a crazy place, it can sadden your heart in so many ways. When the world breaks your heart, you have to call on God, His promises and words will never fail.
Psalm 1, Psalm 8, Psalm 16, Psalm 23
May all the glory, praise and honor go to my Lord, my rock, my Redeemer
Sadly Gail, many in our world don’t know He is the One to go to and call on.
It does seem the world is getting crazier and crazier and along with that the discouragement it brings. It does not surprise me though. One would not expect a decaying, dying world to bring the joy and peace that only God can provide. If my hope is put on others, if my hope is put on wealth (or even a small nest egg), if my hope is put in my strength, my health and the other things of this world, I am likely going to be disappointed and discouraged. My hope can really only come from God
I think it is because we are doing just what you said we shouldn’t that our discouragement is magnified Ryan. our hope can only be in Christ.
Come quickly, Lord Jesus. And as we wait, may we do more than wring our hands. May we reach out to those who need to know Your tender, healing touch, spiritually and emotionally.
So right Linda! We were never made new to sit on our hands or wring them in worry.