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Back to the Top of your Game…or out of the slimy pit!  discouragement          

Hi. 

How to see rainbows rather than rain … that is the challenge, is it not?  Given that discouragement will come our way at some point, we again look to Paul to see how he handled it.  Paul remembered in the nighttime--of discouragement--what he knew to be true in the daylight.  “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”  Each ‘but’ statement shows that he answered each scenario with truth . . . an empowering choice to make.   

Take a look: Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up.

For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.  We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. 2 Corinthians 4.1,6-10, NLT

Paul’s mission, Paul’s purpose was clear—to him and to everyone who knew him.  It kept him on point…do you know what I mean?  Are you just drifting through your life, letting life happen to you?  Well then, when you hit a bump in the road, that explains why you are easily thrown off your course.    Even in discouragement, Paul knew his life’s goal . . . and he knew what it was to stay on course.  ‘You? Choose to live on purpose.

> Choose to live to glorify God, and when trouble hits, look for God-oriented solutions to life’s situations.  Stop thinking about yourself so much, and instead turn your focus toward God. “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…”1  Get your focus on God.

>Ask for help, specifically wisdom from God.2

>Have some statements of truth ready to counter the arrows that come your way

especially at nighttime when you are weary… such as “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Philippians 4.13

>Retrain your mind, your thinking—move from worry and complaining to thanksgiving and praise.3,4

To quote a famous philosopher, "You gotta put your behind in the past... I mean your past behind you." ~ Hakuna Matata

>Yes, put your past behind you! We learn more from Paul about his modus operandi-- “…one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”5  While the past cannot be changed, our view toward it can.  We can accept the mercy of God, and allow it to transform us—choosing to cast our gaze forward and heavenward, rather than always looking backward over our shoulder.  After all, this world is not our home; we are just passing through, on our way to Gloryland!  Look beyond, look toward your eternal home, for this life is just a flash in the pan by comparison.

So, by way of review, do not lose heart—choose to be a champion. (Do you notice my repeated use of the word “choose”?  My choice to point to being intentional.)

1. Remember your purpose, and stay on track

2. Correct your focus: from yourself->to God

3. Have truth statements ready to counter negative thinking

4. Ask God for wisdom.

5. Change your thinking to that which is thankful and praiseworthy

6. Let go of your past

7. Think about Heaven daily

In closing, be encouraged by David’s words--

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. 

     He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire;

        he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 

           He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. 

              Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40.1-3

Be encouraged!