discouragement | considering the word

Farkle. Have you ever played? It’s a pretty low-key dice game, but you can choose to take risks or not. My son decided to take a risk that didn’t pay off. He lost a lot of points and asked if we could change the rules “just this once, and then everyone could have the same thing done for themselves, as well.” I said no.

I said, “You took a risk, and that was great, but it didn’t work out. You lose your points.” Then he said, “Then, I’ll quit.” Nope! That was also not an option. We finished the game, and he came in 2nd. Not too shabby, when quitting would have ensured his loss.

There are moments like that for all of us, where it can be so easy for us to want to quit. Quit life, quit trying, quit parenting, quit working, quit giving of ourselves, quit caring, quit any number of things.

I remember when Elijah felt this way, He literally sat down under a tree in the desert and said, “I’ve had enough. Just let me die.” And then he fell asleep. If I’m being honest, I have felt that way, but I am so encouraged to know that someone like Elijah felt that way, too.

Paul reminds us in 1 Cor. 9 that athletes work hard to win a crown that cannot last, but we do it for a crown that will last forever. We don’t run without a goal. He says in vs. 27, “I keep my body under control and make it my slave, so I won’t lose out after telling the good news to others.” Even he understands that sometimes we feel that weight on us, but we have to discipline ourselves like an athlete, and keep the goal in mind.

We do it for a crown that will last forever! There is no 2nd place with God. There is only life everlasting, and we don’t want to fall down and lose our place now. We can keep our eyes on Him, our faith in Him, and keep on going.

So run to win!

jamie

I’m reading the conversations between Job and his friends right now in the book of Job. It’s so uncomfortable for me because I have scars from comments people have made to me during my own health issues the last few years…even while I was down at the altar seeking God’s face.

Job asked his friends why they were tormenting him with their accusations and insults. I know Job was a man, but I have to wonder if he cried because of what they said? I usually just cry. ha!

I’m not sure what it is about health issues or major trials that opens up the doorway to make others think they should step in and offer up judgment instead of encouragement, but it’s sad. When someone is going through pain and trials, the last thing they need is added pain.

Sickness in someone’s life does not automatically mean they’ve sinned or haven’t asked, in faith, to be healed. Trials in someone’s life does not mean they have not been generous to the poor or have angered God.

What do those in pain or those in the midst of a trial need? They need love. They need compassion. They need an ear to listen. They need prayer. If you know specifically of sin in their life, you can offer help, but if you don’t, then don’t accuse. People who are hurting need comfort. They need a friend.

Take them a meal. Babysit their kids or pay for someone else to do it. Pay for someone to clean their house for them. Go sit with them when they can’t get out of bed. Pray with them. Give them a hug. Wash their car. Offer to do something else you know will bless them. Do something to bless them, but don’t add to their pain.

I am so blessed by Job. He did curse the day he was born…that’s understandable, since he was in immense pain…but he was never so discouraged that he allowed his friends to turn mind away from trusting God.

For any Christian in pain, that’s critical. We can’t turn our hearts away from trusting in God. As Christians, we cannot be the ones to cause pain. Our lives are supposed to represent God’s love. If God’s love looks like judgment and accusations, especially in a trial or painful time in someone’s life, it will make it so hard for them to trust in Him.

As Christians, it is imperative that we operate in love, encouragement, and in prayer. Jesus said we should love the Lord our God with all our heart all our soul all our strength and all our mind; and we should love our neighbor as ourselves. What if you were the one in pain? What would you want to hear? What if you were in that trial? What would you need?

We must go and do likewise,

jamie