The Christian's Struggles Luke 10:38-42 “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things” (v. 41) Not a bad person Not immoral Not lacking in love for the Lord Title Slide: The Christian Struggles (#6)—Discouragement… Bothered (NASV) – by many things Distracted – thus struggled We like Martha struggle about many things!

Struggle With Discouragement It is not uncommon for Christians to be discouraged from time to time Some – occasionally / others – stay in it Some – “blahs” or “blues” Some – Depression Struggle With Discouragement—Not an uncommon problem

Reached a Point Where He Was Pretty Low Elijah Struggled – So Do We! Perhaps we think the great prophets are people of steel – unreal temperament James 5:17 – “nature like ours” 1 Kings 19:1-10 Reached a point: Thought no one cared Thought no one wanted to do right Lonely Just as soon die as live Elijah—Reached a Low Point in His Life...on the run from Jezebel! (1 Kings 19:1-10) Great prophets were just real people with real problems and emotions—just like ours! Elijah Struggled – So Do We!

I. What Is Discouragement?

I. What Is Discouragement? A. Dictionary: “To deprive of courage, hope, confidence” (Webster) B. Opposite of: Encouraged C. Synonyms: disappointed, down, disheartened, troubled, blues, depression, gloomy, etc. D. There is legitimate discouragement Possible to be discouraged (Hebrews 12:3,5) The need for encouragement (Romans 1:12) E. Broad term: Includes feelings hurt – heartache – clinical depression Some “Depression” is merely discouragement I. What Is Discouragement? What is Discouragement? Defining our terms…

What Is Discouragement? What Causes Discouragement?

II. What Causes Discouragement? A. Disappointment at Sin of Others 1. 1 Kings 19:10 2. Brethren a. Psalm 119:136 b. Sin/Error c. Church troubles 3. Family a. Never obey gospel b. Turn astray – life of sin c. Believe or practice religious error II. What Causes Discouragement? What Causes Discouragement? Disappointment at Sin of Others—1 Kings 19:10 Brethren Psalm 119:136 Sin/Error Church troubles Remember the friends of Job—Job 13:4,5; 16:2 Family Never obey the gospel Turn astray—back to life of sin (2 Pet.2:20-22) Believe or practice religious error (in wrong church)

II. What Causes Discouragement? A. Disappointment at Sin of Others B. Physical Problems / Sickness 1. Elijah was exhausted Ran from Ahab, Mt Carmel to Jezreel – 30 miles (18:46) Ran from Jezebel, to Beersheba – 60 miles (19:1-3) Ran another day’s journey (19:4) Then felt despair (19:10) 2. Prolonged sickness, stress on the body, extreme exhaustion – may discourage one II. What Causes Discouragement? What Causes Discouragement? 2. Physical Problems/Sickness

II. What Causes Discouragement? A. Disappointment at Sin of Others B. Physical Problems / Sickness C. Material/Financial Difficulties 1. Financial Strain—causes stress Matthew 6:24-33—worry, anxiety about “stuff” Trying to “keep up with the Jones’ Living above our means Placing priorities in wrong place! II. What Causes Discouragement? What Causes Discouragement? 2. Physical Problems/Sickness 3. Material & Financial Difficulties…

II. What Causes Discouragement? A. Disappointment at Sin of Others B. Physical Problems / Sickness C. Material/Financial Difficulties D. Own Sin 1. Often depression is merely a problem of guilt—1 John 3:20 2. “I’m discouraged”—used as an excuse *Not all that interested in spiritual matters * Doing things questionable—maybe sinful * Blame others—for being discouraged II. What Causes Discouragement? What Causes Discouragement? 2. Physical Problems/Sickness 3. Material & Financial Difficulties… 4. Own Sin!... One can be encouraged by a “mutual faith”—Romans 1:12…Unfortunately, can become discouraged by the same faith!

II. What Causes Discouragement? A. Disappointment at Sin of Others B. Physical Problems / Sickness C. Material/Financial Difficulties D. Own Sin E. Death of a Stronghold 1. Moses’ Death—Joshua 1:1,7,9 2. Jesus’ Death—John 14:1 3. Parent, mentor, leader, close friend, etc. 4. Wonder how we can do it without them… II. What Causes Discouragement? What Causes Discouragement? 2. Physical Problems/Sickness 3. Material & Financial Difficulties… 4. Own Sin!... One can be encouraged by a “mutual faith”—Romans 1:12…Unfortunately, can become discouraged by the same faith! 5. Death of a Stronghold…

What Is Discouragement? What Causes Discouragement? How Does It Create a Struggle? What Is Discouragement??? What Causes Discouragement? How Does It Create A Struggle?

III. How Does It Create A Struggle? Feel Like You Are Alone (1 Kings 19:10) No one to help No one cares No one understands No one is really concerned III. How Does It Create A Struggle? How Does It Create a Struggle?? No one to help No one cares No one understands No one is really concerned

III. How Does It Create A Struggle? B. Sees a Dark Future (Psalm 74:1,2) Just as soon not live—no reason to keep going (1 Kings 19) Hands hang down (Hebrews 12:12) Can’t see past the dark cloud Tendency to want to just give up III. How Does It Create A Struggle? How Does It Create a Struggle?? B. Sees a Dark Future…

III. How Does It Create A Struggle? C. Think Nothing You Can Do (John 6:66) Elijah wanted to die! (1 Kings 19) Feel can’t do anything right (Colossians 3:21) So what’s the use? Throw in the “white towel” III. How Does It Create A Struggle? How Does It Create a Struggle?? C. Think Nothing Can Do?

III. How Does It Create A Struggle? D. Exaggerate The Trouble Elijah “I’m only left!” (1 Kings 19) 7,000 Make problem bigger—in our mind Reason: see the darker side Sick—think dying One done wrong—nothing right Difference—becomes a rift Financial reverse—ready for bankruptcy Feeling down—”I’m depressed” III. How Does It Create A Struggle? How Does It Create a Struggle?? Exaggerate the Problem….2 Corinthians 4:16,17; Phil.4:13. Taking such an attitude the problem can seem hopeless!!!

III. How Does It Create A Struggle? E. Forget The Good of the Past Elijah seemed to have forgotten: God’s answer to prayer (1 Kings 17:1-7) Widow flour & oil (1 Kings 17:8-16) Victory at Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18) We Forget: How we’ve been blessed-good of days gone by God answers prayers Overcome trials of the past! III. How Does It Create A Struggle? How Does It Create a Struggle?? E. Forget the Good of the Past Phil.3:12-14; Heb.13:5,6. Taking such an attitude the problem can seem hopeless!!!

What Is Discouragement? What Causes Discouragement? How Does It Create a Struggle? How Can One Deal With It? What Is Discouragement??? What Causes Discouragement? How Does It Create A Struggle? How Can One Deal With It?

IV. How Can One Deal With It? Things That Don’t Help Running to Escape (Psalm 55:6; 16-23) Self-pity (1 Samuel 30:1-6) Alcohol (1 Peter 4:3) Medication (1 Peter 5:7) IV. How Can One Deal With It? How Can One Deal With It??? Things That Don’t Help…

IV. How Can One Deal With It? B. Elijah’s Case Prayed (1 Kings 19:4; 1 Peter 5:7) Remember the power of God (1 Kings 19:11-13) Get busy doing the Lord’s will (1 Kings 19:15ff) Not as bad as you think (1 Kings 19:18) EThere are others who can help (1 Kings 19:17,18) IV. How Can One Deal With It? How Can One Deal With It??? Elijah’s Case…

IV. How Can One Deal With It? C. Hebrews’ Encouragement Know you are on the right track (chapters 1-9) Consider the danger if stay discouraged (6:4-8) You’ve done it in the past (6:9-12) Remember God’s Promises (6:13-20) Consider how Jesus endured (12:3) Could be worse (12:4) Bad circumstances make us better (12:5-11) Take responsibility for self—be determined (12:12) IV. How Can One Deal With It? How Can One Deal With It??? Hebrews encouragement…

IV. How Can One Deal With It? D. Instructions to Encourage the Fainthearted “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14) IV. How Can One Deal With It? How Can One Deal With It??? Instructions to Encourage the Fainthearted…1 Thess.5:14

IV. How Can One Deal With It? D. Instructions to Encourage the Fainthearted Remind them what the word says (1 Thessalonians 4:18; 5:11; Acts 20:2; 1 Corinthians 14:31) Be positive—not negative (Numbers 21:4; 32:7,9 Tell them not to give up (1 Thessalonians 3:2; Acts 11:23) IV. How Can One Deal With It? How Can One Deal With It??? Instructions to Encourage the Fainthearted… Passages: 4:18:-” Therefore comfort one another with these words.” 5:11—” Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.” Acts 20:2—” Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece.” 1 Cor.14:31—” For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.” Num. 21:4—” Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way.” Num.32:7,9—” Now why will you discourage the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD has given them?... For when they went up to the Valley of Eshcol and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel, so that they did not go into the land which the LORD had given them.”

IV. How Can One Deal With It? D. Instructions to Encourage the Fainthearted Let them know you care—are loved (Colossians 2:2) Remind them of the cycles of life (Psalm 30:5) Remind them of the temporary vs. spiritual (2 Corinthians 4:16-18) IV. How Can One Deal With It? How Can One Deal With It??? Instructions to Encourage the Fainthearted… Passages: Colossians 2:2:-” that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ.” Passages: Psalm 30:5—” For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.” Passages: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18—” Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

What Is Discouragement? What Causes Discouragement? How Does It Create a Struggle? How Can One Deal With It? What Is Discouragement??? What Causes Discouragement? How Does It Create A Struggle? How Can One Deal With It?...Invitation