So, we’ve acknowledged that we do sometimes face discouragement. (See last post, if you haven’t read it yet) What now? How can I become intentional in my actions to help? What can I do to help stop discouragement?
Here are some things that I have found helpful:
1. VOCALIZE.
You don’t have to scream it to the world, but find someone, or multiple people, whom you trust. Then unapologetically put it out there, all of it. I’ve found that just vocalizing what I am facing takes it’s power.
The devil wants us to think we are alone in what we are facing/feeling, and he wants us to keep it to ourselves. He wants us to become withdrawn, isolated, and to fall further into that pit of discouragement.
Voacalizing means you’ve put it out there for others to start helping you pray. Sometimes those prayers come from where you would least expect them. You may not ever know who starts calling your name to Jesus. The Bible tells us in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 that “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” There is power to overcome just by not walking life alone.
I’ve also found in vocalizing what I am going through, others find their voice as well. So, not only have you found your voice, you’ve helped someone else find their voice. Suddenly we are not alone, instead we’ve helped someone else take that first step too.
2. READ YOUR BIBLE
I cannot emphasize this one enough. It is SO VERY IMPORTANT to stay in the Word of God. It doesn’t matter if we feel like it. We get in the word anyway. It is a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path. (Psalm 119:105) There is life giving words for our souls. We have to intentionally take the time to get in there and read it.
We have little excuse in 2022 for not getting in the word. Bibles are readily available to us. There are apps on our phones that will read it to us, give us devotions to dig into the word, and send reminders to our phones so we don’t get busy and forget. Make up your mind to get in the word.
3. BREATHE
Breathing is life. I have found that when I get stressed, or life feels overwhelming, I don’t inhale well. I guess you could say that I forget to breathe. You will be amazed what a couple minutes a day of deep breathing can do for your mind.
4. PRAY
Call on Jesus! Prayer is a weapon that is not used near enough. When you feel discouragement coming on, get alone with the Lord and pray. In the pit of discouragement, call out to Jesus. Just call on his name. I know he isn’t hard of hearing. He hears the faintest whisper, but sometimes you need to yell for him in the very desperation you feel. The Bible is full of promises and examples of how the Lord heard, and answered when his children called out to him. I’ve listed a few here. ⬇️
I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. -Psalm 34:4
The righteous cry, and the Lord hearth, and delivered them out of all their troubles. -Psalm 34:17
In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: He heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. -Psalm 18:6
In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me. -Psalm 120:1
Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am....-Isaiah 58:9
5. WORSHIP
Hopefully worship is a part of your daily life. If it isn’t, today is a great day to start that daily habit. During times of encouragement worship longer. Make a playlist of your favorite Christian songs, and then fill your heart with them. In Acts when the disciples were given the instructions to wait for the promise. Luke’s account in chapter 24 verse 49 says ‘ tarry... until ye be endured with power from on high.’ Tarry means to stay, abide, continue, or to lodge. I even heard the word in my heart during church last night. Tarry just a little longer.❤️
6. GO TO CHURCH
Gathering together with the church is vital. The building is just the meeting place of the church. We are the church. Hebrews 10:25 tells us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. We strengthen each other, and encouragement is found. It’s necessary for growth as Christians. Nothing else should take the place of coming together to worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. In all reality, nothing else can take it’s place. There is just something special about worshipping with other believers. You can do all the other things, but if you leave this one out, you will fall short on beating discouragement. You may ask why after reading that last sentence. The simple answer is failing to be obedient to the Word of God.
7. SLEEP
Your body and mind need sleep. Make a healthy sleep routine. Don’t lay there scrolling on your phone or iPad. Close your eyes and rest. It’s the way God designed your body. It’s your rebooting time. Sleep is essential to function well.
8. TAKE YOUR VITAMINS
We live in a fast paced world. We are all guilty of putting too much of the wrong food in, and not enough of the good. Most of us do not get the right amount of nutrients needed. So, start with a one a day. Take a vitamin.
9. EAT HEALTHIER
Sugar is my go to. I am so guilty of choosing the worst foods. I want all the French fries, and pizza. 😆 All the foods that research has shown to pull you down in body and mind. So, I have to put a lot of effort into being intentional about what I am putting into my body. Some days I do better than others, but I keep trying because I know it makes a difference in how I feel. So, start small if you must, but start somewhere throughout your day by choosing foods that will make you feel better.
10. FEEL
I’m going to end on this one. I am so guilty of not allowing myself to feel the feelings. I somewhere along the way decided that as a Christian there are certain feelings I’m just not supposed to feel because I am more than a conqueror through Jesus. And that just isn’t the case. Yes, the verse is true, but it doesn’t mean we don’t feel. Even Jesus dealt with the feelings. He wept at the tomb of Lazarus. In the garden he prayed until his sweat were as drops of blood surrendering to the Father’s will. The Lord himself allowed his people time to grieve. We find that example with the death of Moses, and others.
So, allow yourself to feel the feelings, just don’t take up residence there and forget to incorporate the other important habits. Make yourself take a shower, and brush your teeth on the hardest days. Pray. Call a friend. You don’t have to conquer the world every single day.
The 10 things listed above are some of the areas of my own life where I am choosing to be intentional. There are more, like going for walks. The list could go on, and you will find your own areas to be intentional in, but hopefully this will be a helpful list in getting you started on your journey to beat discouragement. “In all things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”(Romans 8:37) We are conquerors because we are not in this alone. Determine in your heart to choose one area to work on, and after you’ve made that a habit, add another area to work on. Jesus thought you were worth dying for, so look in the mirror, and see how much you are worth to him. Find the strength inside of you to live intentionally, and help others along the way. You are walking toward your testimony. Embrace the journey, and then find fulfillment in helping others.❤️
