December 3, 2003
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Was really encouraged this morning through the Bible study (Joshua 1:1-9) that Henry Tan led. Wise man with wise words.
When you’re down and discouraged, it means that you’re no longer looking at God’s Word as your own (as applicable to you). It means that you have no courage to trust God.
To encourage someone, you must give them the courage to trust in God.
To take courage means to choose to believe what God says. You must believe that it’s true for you.
Comments (3)
very well said, Mary Ann. Let’s continue to encourage one another!
how do you give someone the courage to trust God? and should we never be discouraged?
To Answer justwatching’s Questions:
To give courage to someone – well, perhaps I should restate this. We can’t give someone courage; it can’t be imputed (ascribed, credited, deposited) to them from us. But how you “give them courage” is by pointing them toward Truth, turn their heads in the direction of the Cross, help them walk in that direction, sort out the truths from the lies. Once they see what the truth of the matter is, then they’ll have the courage to trust God.
For example: at ISOLead, we currently have no money. That has led to some natural sadness, feelings of dismay and eventually has led us to discouragement. It’s hard to have the courage to trust God when things seem so bleak. But the TRUTH is that God is up to something; He has more than enough money; it’s not like He’s lacking in it; He can and will provide in His time and His way. For someone to encourage us, they would remind us of these truths. For us to take courage, we must look at the truth that God will provide and have the courage to believe that they are True.
Is it ok to feel discouraged? Well, there’s a difference between discouraged/despair vs. sadness. When things don’t go the way we wish or hope for, it is natural for us to feel sad about it. In fact, we can’t help it! It’s a natural response that rises up from deep within us. But when we feel that way, we have a choice whether or not we will dwell there and take it to the next level… which is to be dis-couraged – to stop believing in God’s Truths OR to trust God. To despair is to turn our backs on God (LM Montgomery). In light of our troubles, we need to choose to believe God anyway. That’s why Phil 4:6-7 exhorts us to pray about everything “with thanksgiving” ; the thanksgiving helps us be reminded of God’s truths, which will help us believe again.