Resisting Discouragement
by Rick Warren
So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time. Galatians 6:9 (NLT)
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There are many things that work to keep us from completing our life-missions. Over the years, I’ve debated whether the worst enemy is procrastination or discouragement. If Satan can’t get us to put off our life missions, then he’ll try to get us to quit altogether.
The apostle Paul teaches that we need to resist discouragement: “So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up …” (Galatians 6:9 NLT).
Do you ever get tired of doing what’s right? I think we all do. Sometimes it seems easier to do the wrong thing than the right thing.
When we’re discouraged, we become ineffective. When we’re discouraged, we work against our own faith.
When I’m discouraged, I’m saying, “It can’t be done.” That’s the exact opposite of saying, “I know God can do it because he said ….”
Ask yourself these questions:
If you’re discouraged, don’t give up without a fight. Nothing worthwhile ever happens without endurance and energy.
When an artist starts to create a sculpture, he has to keep chipping away. He doesn’t hit the chisel with the hammer once, and suddenly all the excess stone falls away revealing a beautiful masterpiece. He keeps hitting it and hitting it, chipping away at the stone.
And that’s true of life, too: Nothing really worthwhile ever comes easy in life. You keep hitting it and going after it, and little-by-little your life becomes a masterpiece of God’s grace.
The fact is, great people are really just ordinary people with an extraordinary amount of determination. Great people don’t know how to quit.
thanks
What an Inspirational Message! Each of us are going through very difficult times and some of us several at one time. It’s easy to give up when you are experiencing death of family members and/or friends, being unemployed, trying to finish school, and coping with illness of a child. With God, All Things Are Possible. We must trust HIM to give us Strength, Patience, and Guidance.
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This message is such a reminder that God is still on the thrown and he will do all things until it is finish!
I needed this today! Discouragement sneaks up on us and before you know it your loosing faith. In God We Can Trust to do exceedingly above all things. Being encouraged with the reminder of his promises and his grace is such a blessing. Thank you and Blessings to you! ~Janet
Often times the Spirit has told me to do something which I understand and agree to. But not long after I have felt that great confirmation from our Lord that the evil one swoops in stirring up doubts, provoking fear of rejection or of the unknown. We must cling to what we know we have been told by God through His Word, prayer, and wise counsel. It certainly pays off in the end and avoids so much pain through the process.
I needed this so much. I’ve started a new business and money is not coming in as fast or as much as I would like. I am blessed to be able to make a living, but I want it so bad that I have been taking out my frustrations on the one person who has been my support financially, emotionally and any other way. I have been just awful. I have apologized to him, but I know it’s not enough because I have been letting discouragement and worry get to me.
This helped get me back on track.
Thank you.
Wow! I so needed that. I’m in the process of “cleaning out my life” after a relationship ended badly. I’ve found it hard to do a lot of little things. I’m moving in 3 weeks and was on the verge of losing hope that everything would get done and finances would keep food in my refrigerator. God has made my food not spoil. I have cheese in my refrigerator that is a month old and fresh as the day I bought it. My family randomly showed up on Saturday and helped me get an unreal amount of work done while inspiring me to push through all at the same time. Thank you for giving me and my two sons the piece of scripture I’m going to need to get to the next step. God bless!
So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up …
(Galatians 6:9 NLT).
this is so true. thanks for the encouragement
I found myself at times wondering if anything will ever go my way. I do get frustrated & I find myself wondering if God has forgotten me. Then when I think that way the guilt for those thoughts hits me hard! Then, God surprises me & lets me know that He hasn’t forgotten me, I have often forgotten Him!! Which I’m ashamed of. Because it’s when the depression of the situation hinders me from feeling His presence. I do apologize to our Heavenly Father for my short commings & Ask Him for strength & guidence to plow thru the situation standing boldly & cofident that He is there with Me helping thru the storms of this life. This scripture came at the right time & I am so thank-ful that God sent this wonderful surprise to remind me & all of you, that we never go thru this alone!!!!
I needed this word of encouragement. We often forget that we are not in control God is. Lean and depend on him and his word.
I went to Asheville, North Carolina recently and watched a craftsman take a metal rod and hammer it until he made a leaf that had the veins of a real green leaf it just took the hammer and the heat of the forge. This reminds me of God molding me one heartbeat at the time.
My life is predinated in every way. I am a called minister of the gospel. God’s anointing is in my life. God called me to teach public school intead of college as I wanted to do. I had no passion for teaching public school, and to keep in God’s will, I asked Him to give me the passion for His will and He did. I love it! But there are someday that I feel that God has left me all by myself, to do what He has told me to do.I have tried fruitlessly to pass the certification test, and regardless of how much I apply myself and accept the passing of this test, I have not passed it. I want to give these children my all and make a difference in public education. But I can’t do it by myself! I’m not giving up, but somedays it is a real struggle. Thank you for your words of encouagement. Pray for me. God bless you.