Are You Tempted to be Discouraged?

[JimB]

Sometimes the valley is so deep the sun cannot penetrate and there is danger of forgetting that Jesus is with us no matter where we are.

At times like those it can be very tempting to focus on the trial itself. Read the paragraph before and it tells us the reason. I'm not sure which person in the Bible suffered more, Job or Paul. However, Paul penned these words....

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

and Job these words...

15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

Mrs White talks about the importance of actually vocalizing thoughts like these. Our words react upon our own souls. I would encourage you to find a room where people can't here or take a stroll in a park and encourage yourself with promises from the Bible out loud.

[rahab]

Good advice Jim

It’s very hard when going through the trial.

Try to bring to mind all the times in the past where God came through for you….

It is a test of faith and afterwards your faith will be stronger.

Cling to Jesus, focus on His great love for you

Listen to the Psalms

[JimB]

Nothing tends more to promote health of body and of soul than does a spirit of gratitude and praise. It is a positive duty to resist melancholy, discontented thoughts and feelings—as much a duty as it is to pray. If we are heaven-bound, how can we go as a band of mourners, groaning and complaining all along the way to our Father's house?

Those professed Christians who are constantly complaining, and who seem to think cheerfulness and happiness a sin, have not genuine religion. Those who take a mournful pleasure in all that is melancholy in the natural world, who choose to look upon dead leaves rather than to gather the beautiful living flowers, who see no beauty in grand mountain heights and in valleys clothed with living green, who close their senses to the joyful voice which speaks to them in nature, and which is sweet and musical to the listening ear—these are not in Christ. They are gathering to themselves gloom and darkness, when they might have brightness, even the Sun of Righteousness arising in their hearts with healing in His beams. MH251.4

[JimB]

Imagine yourself living when Mrs. White was still living. Then maybe imagine struggling with doubts and then have this letter arrive in the mail at your door step. A Word from God Himself through His servant directly to you. What tender and caring God we serve.

Dear Sister Israel:

I have words of encouragement for you. “Then are they glad because they are quiet.” [Psalm 107:30.] Silence in the soul makes more distinct the voice of God. The Lord’s everlasting arms are beneath you, my sister. You have begun to feel after God, and your soul is refusing to believe itself, time-bound and sense-bound. You are now responding to the words of Christ Jesus. The Lord Jesus has taken you into a harbor of gracious experience, and bids you, “Be still, and know that I am God.” [Psalm 46:10.] Rest in His promise. Your life has been for [a] time past of unrest, but the voice of Jesus comes to you saying, “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” [Matthew 11:28.]

You are privileged as a daughter of Abraham to have gladness in God Himself. Through the name and merits of Christ Jesus, you become, not only restored to God, but an heir of God, and joint-heir of Jesus Christ. When you as heir of God survey your restored inheritance, your countenance lights up with peace and restfulness in God. This is gladness in your heart. The joy of Christ in the soul is worth everything. It is Christ’s summer in the soul. “Then are they glad,” because they are privileged to be quiet and rest in the arms of everlasting love. [Psalm 107:30.] “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him.” [Psalm 37:7.] Through faith in Jesus Christ we are at one with the Father, “I in thee, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that thou has sent me, and hast loved them as thou hast loved me.” [John 17:23.]

Now, in the place of talking over your questioning doubts, break away from them in the strength of Jesus Christ and glorify the Lord; and let light in your own soul by making your voice and lips express faith and confidence and trust in God. I know that the Lord is very nigh you to give you the victory. All I can say to you is, Be helped, be strengthened, be lifted up out of and away from the dark dungeon of unbelief. No dart can wound and bruise the soul like the sharp doubts of unbelief, and God is dishonored by any soul who shall belittle the power of God by talking unbelief. Doubts will rush into your mind, because Satan has held you so long in captivity to his cruel power. But face him with all the strength Jesus is willing to give you, and conquer the inclination to express unbelief in your precious Saviour.

It is not enough that you believe that He will save others, but that He saves you. There is not, there cannot be peace where there is a lost faith. Let us, you and me, pray for this removal of doubts; but pray in faith, that God does hear your prayer, that the Lord will do it, because He wants you to be saved. Repeat now, as often as you have repeated hitherto that the Lord will not save you, “I believe, help thou mine unbelief.” [Mark 9:24.] Do you believe the merciful Saviour gave no rest to the soul of the doubting Thomas? Bear in mind that Jesus is your Redeemer. Rest in Christ Jesus as you never rested in Him before.

In much love, praying the Lord to bless you.

[Marelis]

What a wonderful timeless letter of encouragement.

[Richard Myers]

Amen dear Sister. Good to see your post! Thankyou for sharing this letter. Somehow I missed it when Brother Jim posted it. Enjoy your Sabbath.

[JimB]

Whatever your disposition may be, God is able so to mold it that it will be sweet and Christlike. By the exercise
of living faith you can separate from everything that is not in accordance with the mind of God, and thus bring
heaven into your life here below. Doing this, you will have sunshine at every step. When the enemy seeks to
enshroud the soul with darkness, sing faith and talk faith, and you will find that you have sung and talked
yourself into the light. {CT 233.3}

We open to ourselves the floodgates of woe or joy. If we permit our thoughts to be engrossed with the
troubles and trifles of earth, our hearts will be filled with unbelief, gloom, and foreboding. If we set our
affections on things above, the voice of Jesus will speak to our hearts, murmuring will cease, and vexing
thoughts will be lost in praise to our Redeemer. Those who dwell upon God's great mercies and are not
unmindful of His lesser gifts, will put on the girdle of gladness and make melody in their hearts to the Lord.
Then they will enjoy their work. They will stand firm at their post of duty. They will have a placid temper, a
trustful spirit. {CT 234.1}

[JimB]

To love as Christ loved means to manifest unselfishness at all times and in all places, by kind words and pleasant
looks. These cost those who give them nothing, but they leave behind a fragrance that surrounds the soul. The
effect can never be estimated. Not only are they a blessing to the receiver, but to the giver; for they react upon
him. Genuine love is a precious attribute of heavenly origin, which increases in fragrance in proportion as it is
dispensed to others.{LYL 16.4}

Christ's love is deep and earnest, flowing like an irrepressible stream to all who will accept it. There is no
selfishness in His love. In this heaven-born love is an abiding principle in the heart, it will make itself known, not
only to those we hold most dear in sacred relationship, but to all with whom we come in contact. It will lead us
to bestow little acts of attention, to make concessions, to perform deeds of kindness, to speak tender, true,
encouraging words. It will lead us to sympathize with those whose hearts hunger for sympathy. {LYL 17.1}

[Richard Myers]

Amen dear brother! 

It is our privilege to speak words that will encourage our associates and fellow laborers; it is not our privilege to speak works that will depress. It is not wise for us to compare ourselves with other workers, speaking of their failings, and raising objections to their methods of labor. It would be no surprise if those who are laboring under grave responsibilities, and who have many trials to meet, should sometimes make mistakes....  Ev 633.

[JimB]

 God has made man capable of constant progress in everything that constitutes mental and moral dignity. No other creature of his hand is capable of such advancement. Man can reach an eminence in self-control and dignity that will raise him above the slavery of appetite and passion, where he can stand before God as a man, his name written in the books of heaven. CTBH 146.2

 Let the light of truth shine into the mind of a man, let the love of God be shed abroad in his heart, and we can hardly conceive what he may be or what God can do through him. Though a fallen son of Adam, he may, through the merits of Christ, be an heir of immortality, his thoughts elevated and ennobled, his heart purified, and his conversation in heaven. Think, O, think of the  superiority of an intelligent Christian man over a poor votary of sin! Note the difference between man blinded by sin, the victim of his own evil passions, and sunk in vice, and a man reclaimed by the truth of God's word, ennobled by looking to Jesus and believing in him, and becoming a partaker of the divine nature. CTBH 146.3 EGW Writings: https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p14.688&index=0

Let me say to him who is struggling to overcome, God presents before you a strong hope, that you may lay hold on eternal life. Lose no opportunity of becoming a man. When you look at yourself, and realize the strength of temptation, you feel so weak in moral power that you say, “I cannot resist.” I tell you, you can resist, you must resist temptation. Although you may have been overcome, although moral debasement may have marked your course, it need not always be thus. Jesus is your helper. In his strength you can overcome the beguiling power of appetite. Summon will-power to your aid. CTBH 147.2 EGW Writings: https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p14.693&index=0

[JimB]

Are you one that makes mistakes? Go to Jesus, and ask Him to forgive you, and then believe that He does. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Ask the Lord to pardon your errors. Then rejoice in Him. It will not help you in the least to keep mourning over your defects. Say, "Lord, I cast my helpless soul on Thee, and Thee alone. I will not worry, because Thou hast said, 'Ask, and ye shall receive.'" Believe that you do receive. Believe that your Saviour is full of compassion, full of tender pity and love. Let not little mishaps trouble you. Small mistakes may be ordered by the Lord to save you from making larger mistakes. 

Act your part in helping yourself, as all must do who would be blessed. Believe that Christ helps you. Refuse to speak a word of unbelief. When the enemy tells you that the Lord has forsaken you, tell him that you know He has not; for He declarues, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."Jesus says, "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." Then, my sister, dismiss the enemy. Tell him that you will not dishonor God by  doubting His mercy, His goodness, His love. Never argue with Satan; for he has wonderful powers of deception. If, when he went to Adam and Eve, they had kept repeating the words of God, saying, "He hath said, and I believe His word, I will not distrust Him," they would not have been overcome. 

Instead of bemoaning your weakness, and talking unbelief, and feeling that you are hardly used, begin to sing. Talk of the mercy and love of God. To all who labor and are heavy laden Christ gives the invitation, "Come unto Me, ... and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." This is the lesson that Christ desires you to learn, and in learning it you will find rest. 8MR 441.2 - 8MR 442.1

[Richard Myers]

What joy is there in encouraging others that God loves them, and would have died just for them!  There are billions of people today who would benefit from some encouragement. Try just smiling at people and telling them it is a beautiful day! Most all will respond.

[JimB]

Believe that the word of God will not fail, but that He is faithful that has promised. It is just as much
your duty to believe that God will fulfill His word and forgive your sins as it is your duty to confess your
sins. Your faith must be exercised in God as one that will do just as He has said He would do--pardon
all your transgressions. {2MCP 677.2}

How can we know that the Lord is indeed our sin-pardoning Saviour, and prove the deep blessedness
in Him, the great grace and love He has assured us that He has for the contrite in heart, unless we
believe His word implicitly? Oh, how very many go mourning, sinning, and repenting, but always under
a cloud of condemnation. They do not believe the word of the Lord. They do not believe that He will do
just as He said He would do.-- Lt10, 1893. {2MCP 677.3}

[Richard Myers]

If you find yourself facing discouragement consider clicking on this. I find it very encouraging:     


 

[JimB]

Amen, brother Richard!  Your suggestion reminded me of this counsel...

If you sit in heavenly places with Christ, you cannot refrain from praising God. Begin to educate your tongues to praise him, and train your hearts to make melody to God; and when the evil one begins to settle his gloom about you, sing praise to God. When things go crossways at your homes, strike up a song about the matchless charms of the Son of God, and I tell you, when you touch this strain, Satan will leave you. You can drive out the enemy with his gloom; his dark shadow will be swept from your pathway by praising God, and you can see, O, so much clearer, the love and compassion of your Heavenly Father. It is Satan's studied effort to eclipse the light of the Sun of Righteousness so that you cannot see it. Your mind should be uplifted to God; you should have praise meetings in your family and in the church. Do not tell a dismal story at any time or in any place. Let the whole world look upon you, and say, “These are people who love God; for we can see his image reflected in them.” RH August 5,  1890, par. 9

[Dorine]

Amen and thank you Richard for the lovely hymn and Jim for the quote. It brought tears of happiness as I pondered the tender regard God has for His children. As I traveled to my dentist appointment this morning I was having a long conversation with Jesus about this very subject. I felt that Jesus was sitting in the passenger seat right beside me. When you live in the presence of Jesus you can not be worried, negative or discouraged. Praising God in word and song lifts you above the cares of this life.

[JimB]

In our love for Christ we long to see Him as He is. And the time is soon coming when we shall see Him. Concerning this time John the Revelator says, “And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations” [Revelation 22:1, 2]. 2SAT 173.5

Those who work against the natural laws of the being must suffer the penalty of transgression. But the Saviour pities us even when we suffer from infirmities caused by our own wrong course of action. In Him there is a healing power for us. Let us praise God for the tree of life,  the leaves of which are for the healing of the nations. 2SAT 173.6 EGW Writings: https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p434.1227&index=0

[JimB]

God loves the sinless angels, who do His service and are obedient to all His commands; but He does not give them grace; they have never needed it, for they have never sinned. Grace is an attribute shown to undeserving human beings. We did not seek after it; it was sent in search of us. God rejoices to bestow grace upon all who hunger and thirst for it, not because we are worthy, but because we are unworthy. Our need is the qualification which gives us the assurance that we shall receive the gift. {TM 519.2}