Dealing with Discouragement

Sunday’s message was thought provoking, even as I sat in the nursery with a restless little girl who wanted to play with her restless friend, and especially this week as it’s continued to be on my mind. Care to join me as I sort through this?

Psalms 73:26 “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (NIV)

What is our response to discouragement?  Do we pull away from others & stew in our own pot of discouragement or do we follow our Savior’s lead when He surrounded Himself with His trusted friends, opened His soul to them, asked them for help, poured out His heart in prayer, and rested in the sovereign wisdom of God. (Matthew 26:36-39) Who do we reach out to when we have become so burdened by the experiences we are going through and need someone to remind us of God’s promises and His faithfulness?

I’m thankful I heard this sermon now, while I am not discouraged, because I’m spending more time meditating on it and considering my usual reaction.  Usually I do withdraw from people and cover up my struggles… wouldn’t want people to think less of me as a person, right?  As a result, I usually skip the first 3 steps that were brought out, leaving me with pouring out my heart to God.  Now I’m beginning to see that without opening myself up and sharing my discouragement/vulnerability, perhaps I am not fully recognizing my desperate need of the Father, causing a part of me to continue thinking that “I can handle this… just a little bit longer… if I just work harder to overcome this…” but that is missing the opportunity to rest in God’s Sovereign wisdom, plan, and workings.

On the other side of things… how do I respond when a friend comes to me to share their discouragement? Am I the friend that brushes it off saying something trite as “it will get better soon” or am I such that a friend can know that their discouragement will be taken before the Lord in prayer?

Psalm 73:21-26 (NIV)

²¹ When my heart was grieved
and my spirit embittered,
²² I was senseless and ignorant;
I was a brute beast before you.
²³ Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.
²⁴ You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
²⁶ My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.