Matthew 26:26-29 NKJV [26] And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." [27] Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. [28] For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. [29] But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom."

1 Corinthians 16:1-2 NKJV [1] Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: [2] On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

Problems In Life That Christians Face

Problems Christians Face Worry & stress Guilt Failures Doubt (personal and spiritual) Depression Weariness Grief Loneliness Forgiveness Addictions Timidity Mediocrity Anger Pride Distractions Compromise Arrogance Poor physical habits

Most of us face discouragement Failures Fleshly weaknesses Rejection Things break Flawed people – family, friends and brethren Unreceptive prospects A broken society

Dealing with Discouragement

Discouragement is not wrong Elijah – 1 Kings 19:3-4 1 Kings 19:3-4 NKJV [3] And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. [4] But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, "It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!"

Discouragement is not wrong David throughout his life Psalm 22:1-2 NKJV [1] My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning? [2] O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; And in the night season, and am not silent.

Discouragement is not wrong Paul dealt with many things that could have discouraged him – 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 NKJV [8] For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. [9] Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 NKJV [8] We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; [9] persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed- [10] always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

Discouragement is not wrong Jesus faced many occasions where He COULD HAVE been discouraged John 6:67-71, “Do you also want to go away?” Luke 9:41, “O faithless and perverse generation,… Matthew 23:37-39, , “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets…” Hebrews 5:7-9, 1 Peter 2:21-23, Hebrews 4:15

Discouragement is not wrong Discouragement happens But HOW you deal with it determines right or wrong. How we let it affect us is important.

Dealing with Discouragement Face it! Don’t deny your frustrations and struggles! Rarely does denial work out – usually it hurts you and others Change begins with acknowledgment

Dealing with Discouragement Endure it! We need perseverance 2 Peter 1:6 Hebrews 10:32, Hebrews 10: 36-39 Romans 5:3-5 Hebrews 12:1-3 Jesus endured (1 Pet. 2:23)

Dealing with Discouragement Look Beyond The Moment! Sometimes we fail to consider the bigger picture We need to step back and see everything Jesus did John 4:35, John 14:1-3 Joseph Genesis 50:20 Elijah 1 Kings 19:18 God is in control 1 John 4:4, 5:4, 1 Cor 10:13 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Dealing with Discouragement Keep busy You still have work to do. Productive work can help you move beyond the moment Jesus kept busy - John 7:1, 9:4 Elijah given instructions – 1 Kings 19:15-16 Galatians 6:9 The prodigal son didn’t stay in the pig sty – Luke 15:15-19

Dealing with Discouragement Pray about it Cast your cares on Him 1 Peter 5:7 Matthew 6:33-34 Philippians 4:6-7 Have your brethren pray for you James 5:16 Even Jesus prayed Luke 5:16 etc. James 1:5-6, 1 John 5:14-15

Dealing with Discouragement Gratitude Count your blessings. RARELY will you find your troubles outweigh your blessings! Philippians 4:4-7 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 Hebrews 10:34 – an enduring possession, Hebrews 13:15 No matter what you are enduring, someone is dealing with something worse

rule over our emotions and attitudes rather than letting them rule us Let us determine to rule over our emotions and attitudes rather than letting them rule us

Are you discouraged? God can help you in your life. All you have to do is obey what the Lord is offering you, and changes will come to your Life!