What you feel is often not real.
Don’t get me wrong; I know our feelings are undeniable; however, emotions are momentary and often do not portray reality. If you let your feelings make your decisions you will live a life of unending difficulty.
We have all had times where a string of events happens, and it can make us feel all sorts of negative ways. In fact you can wake up in the morning or go to bed at night and have all sorts of negative emotions.
Discouraged
Depressed
Discontent
Doubtful
Disconnected
There are all sorts of other words that start with d I could list. If I were to use other letters in the alphabet, I might get to feeling bad just thinking of all the words that can be used to describe the many ways we can feel discouraged.
Emotions can paint you a picture and lead you to draw conclusions that demotivate you from doing what is needed at the moment. Or worse lead you to do, say and act in all sorts of ways that will just make your situation more difficult.
This morning I was listening to the first few chapters of Ecclesiastes.
Much of this book is written by an emotional and discouraged individual.
“for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.”
Seven times this is the conclusion he draws from the difficulty he is facing.
I suggest that is emoting feelings of frustration and discouragement.
What can you and I do when we are feeling discouraged and or frustrated with the time we are in and the pace we are experiencing?
I believe we see a pattern in Psalms sixty-one.
“Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.
For thou hast been a shelter for me and a strong tower from the enemy.”
If you are going to cry, complain and lament, make it count. Cry unto God. In the act of communion with our wonderful counselor, share your soul’s deepest lament. Cry unto God.
Remind yourself where there is comfort and strength, in the sheltering shadow of the Rock of your salvation who is a covert of safety from the enemy of your soul.
” I will abide in thy tabernacle forever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.”
3. Make up in your mind; I am going to stay in this place of communion and fellowship in the Spirit of God and stay shadowed in submission under the wings of my Great God Jehovah.
These things may not immediately change your reality; however, they will, in time, change your perspective.
What was the difference between David and the rest of Isreal when Goliath was constantly spewing negativity and defeat to them? David had a divine perspective that caused him to measure the enemy not within the context of his arsenal or strength but in the context of His Lordly Shepherd’s limitless power and protection.
Are you feeling discouraged?
In closing, read these faith-filled words that can speak hope into your mind and heart.
“I waited patiently for the Lord; a, and inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.” Psalms 40
Trusting in the Lord with all my heart,
In Him, By Him, Through Him,
Scott A. Phillips