February 6 2011 How Can I Overcome Discouragement

/ Great Plains Community Church/

*no sermon audio*

How Can I Overcome Discouragement?

(Nehemiah 4:6-14 - So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart. But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the men of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem's walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat. Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, "The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall." Also our enemies said, "Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work." Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, "Wherever you turn, they will attack us." Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.")

Verse 10 - The strength of the laborers is giving out

I. Causes of discouragement

1. We get tired

(Verse 10 - Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, "The strength of the laborers is giving out")

(Verse 6 - So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.)

2. Frustration

(Verse 10 - "and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.")

What's the rubbish in your life that needs attention?

3. Failure

(Verse 10 - "we cannot rebuild the wall.")

The difference between winners and losers is winnders see it as a temporary set back.

4. Fear

(Verse 11 - Also our enemies said, "Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.")

(Verse 12 - Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, "Wherever you turn, they will attack us.")

II. The cures to discouragement

1. Find a better way

(Verse 13 - Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows.)

(Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 - Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.)

2. Remember your Lord

(Verse 14 - After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.")

Three ways to remember the Lord

  • His goodness in the past
  • His closeness in the present
  • His Power in the future

3. Resisting it

(Verse 14 - After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.")

(James 4:2 - You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.)