Discouragement a Choice?

Recently, I read an article by Rick Warren titled "Discouragement Is a Choice". Typically, I would not counter anything Rick Warren would state, but this one caused me to ask the question of myself. His article gave reasons why we allow discouragement to consume us. However, it seems to me it is actually a choice on my part to be the inflictor of discouragement or to encourage.

Warren's article quoted passages from Nehemiah as the people became weary of rebuilding the wall, especially when the "nay-sayers" continually chipped away at their efforts. This can happen to us, too, can't it? A trial may seem to go on forever fearing the weight of the debris will never lift. But that's where God instructed Nehemiah to go to the people and give them courage to continue. He gave them ideas and a plan to move forward. Sometimes I need someone to grieve with me, but also to give me reason to get up from my pit of dispair.

Many of us have seen people pull away when they are discouraged. Unfortunately, we may not always realize they are going through something so we don't think to pursue them. But I wonder, do we really not see they are in pain? Perhaps they said something hurtful to us and we now stand offended. The Holy Spirit may be asking our heart at this point, "You have a choice to encourage and reach out or you have the choice to discourage by leaving them as they are."

Now wait a minute! It's not my fault they are in this mess. I didn't do anything wrong so why is the monkey on my back to be the encourager?

"A new commandment I give you to love one another." John 13:34
"By this all men will know you are My disciples if you love one another." John 13:35
"This is My commandment that you love one another, just as I have loved you." John 15:12

"Just as I have loved you." Well, that's our answer to the question whether to chose to encourage. Jesus did not wait for us to figure our situation out. He was hurt by our decisions. But while we were yet in our sin and pain, He died for us. He reached out to us and calls to be His hands and feet to a troubled world...and even a troubled acquaintance.

Oh, Lord help us to remember how You reached down to us. Help us to remember how others have responded to Your Holy Spirit to be Your hands and feet. Help us to make the choice to be Jesus to others and choose to encourage.

I'm Such a Kid

Recently, while serving my 2 year old grandson breakfast, I got a glimpse of how I might be seen by God. My grandson was very attentive to me as I continued to dish out the bananas, eggs and toast. He happily patted his fingers together using the sign for "more" of his favorites. He laughed with me and watched me closely which made my heart sing. However, after his tummy filled he lost interest. He was now so satisfied he didn't even bother to give me the sign for "all done". He simply ignored me.

As I sat there trying to get his attention again, I wondered how often I had turned away from the Lord after my momentary need was met. How many times has the Lord given to me but having my fill I moved my thoughts elsewhere. My spirit felt a stab of pain when my grandson had finished with me and I asked God's forgiveness for the times "I'm such a kid." And yet, wasn't it Jesus who said we needed to be like a child to see heaven? I looked at my grandson again and felt such love, even though he was more interested in a bird outside, and thought about how great is our God to love us in our selfish ways.

God remembers that we are dust and showers us with mercy. I don't expect my grandson to praise me for his breakfast...yet. He is just a toddler and doesn't understand all that is done for his good. He just receives. In a short period of time, he will understand the importance of a thankful heart. As Christians grow in our faith, we too understand the importance of giving praise and honoring the One who saved us and provides for our needs according to His riches in glory, in Christ Jesus.