Mike Mazzalongo Lesson #8

Top Ten Sins & Struggles 10 – Laziness 9 – Anger 8 – Cursing & Gossiping 7 – Pride 6 – Neglecting Church 5 – Coping with Change 5 – Coping with Conflict 4 – Easily Discouraged

It is natural to feel discouraged at times.

Being easily discouraged is becoming negative and unsure at the first sign of trouble.

Discouraged / Easily Discouraged Discouraged – Adjustment of approach – Feed back to body

Dealing with Discouragement 1. Re-commit

Dealing with Discouragement 1.Re-commit 2. Re-examine

Dealing with Discouragement 1.Re-commit 2.Re-examine 3. Relax

Relaxing Requires Knowledge Know when to take a break Know your limits Know who is in charge

Discouraged / Easily Discouraged People become easily discouraged because they lack: A. Values and beliefs greater than self

And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, “Behold, the sower went out to sow; and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. - Matthew 13:3-5

But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. And others fell on the good soil and yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.” - Matthew 13:6-9

The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away. - Matthew 13:20-21

Discouraged / Easily Discouraged People become easily discouraged because they lack: A.Values and beliefs greater than self B.Self-reliance

For by their own sword they did not possess the land, And their own arm did not save them, But Your right hand and Your arm and the light of Your presence, For You favored them. - Psalm 44:3

Who gives food to all flesh, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. - Psalm 136:25

My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. - Psalm 73:26

Discouraged / Easily Discouraged People become easily discouraged because they lack: A.Values and beliefs greater than self B.Self-reliance C.Focus

And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. - Matthew 13:22

“Busyness” > Distraction > Discouragement

Summary 1. Discouragement is normal

Summary 1.Discouragement is normal 2. There are ways to deal with discouragement

Summary 1.Discouragement is normal 2.There are ways to deal with discouragement 3. Easy discouragement is not normal

Summary 1.Discouragement is normal 2.There are ways to deal with discouragement 3.Easy discouragement is not normal 4. Focusing on God is the antidote to easy discouragement