In a world that has so much negativity, hostility, violence, and hatred, it is tempting to focus on what we see, read, and hear. The enemy of our soul would have us succumb to discouragement, which breeds fear, doubt, unbelief, frustration, and anger. However, God encourages us, “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
We see evil escalating and wonder if God’s Word is true. We all, at some point, have struggled or will struggle with fear, discouragement, and unbelief. Many great men of faith experienced those same struggles and felt like backing down and giving up.
The Prophet Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal at Mt. Carmel, but when he received death threats from evil Jezebel, he fled to Beersheba. There, he sat down under a juniper tree and prayed that he might die (1 Kings 19). Why would he, after numerous successes of proving God’s power and authority, back down and give up?
Elijah was tired, hungry, emotionally spent, and his mental state was off kilter, so he became immersed in self-pity, as he complained to God. Haven’t we all, at one time or another, complained and wanted to give up? Like Elijah, we believed we had done all that God had required, yet life continued to press in with unrelenting challenges. Possibly you are currently in that place of discouragement and questioning God.
God ministered to Elijah’s needs, but He also pointed out he had a heart issue that had embraced unbelief and self-pity. God did not release Elijah from his duties, instead, He gave him new instructions to return the way he came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. There he would anoint Hazael king over Aram, Jehu as king over Israel, and Elisha to succeed Elijah as prophet. Elijah continued his ministry and mentored Elisha until he was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11).
Moses asked God to take his life, because in his false pride, he complained to God that he was the burden bearer for Israel and failed to see God as the burden bearer (Numbers 11:11-15). The Prophet Jeremiah angerly cursed the day of his birth because of his enemies (Jeremiah 20:14-18). God told the prophet Jonah to preach repentance to the people of Nineveh; however, his pride judged the Ninevites as deserving death and unworthy to hear the message. After God severely dealt with Jonah for his disobedience, he repented and preached to the people of Nineveh (Jonah 4:3).
The Apostle Peter passed through the fiery trial and failed the test when he denied knowing Jesus three times. He would later say, “Do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you (I Peter 4:12).
God understands our humanness, because He came to earth, taking on the form of a man, yet was fully God, and experienced all the human emotions and fears that we experience. He understands our struggles, doubts, and fears, doubt being the most dangerous because it sabotages faith in God’s goodness, His faithfulness, and His promises. Doubt will always give birth to ingratitude and complaining.
The Israelites defeated the Canaanites, but instead of praising and thanking God for their great victory and provision, they complained about the bread He had provided. Angered by their ingratitude, complaining, and lack of faith, God sent a plague of fiery serpents.
When life is not going in the direction planned or hoped for, if we are not careful, we can become ungrateful and complaining? We are told to give thanks in all things, because God has the power to take any circumstance or problem and turn it into a blessing. Do we really believe that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose?” (Romans 8:28).
Discouragement comes when we fail to trust God’s wisdom and goodness. We struggle with His timing and purposes, because we have our own timing, so if events do not line up with our agenda, we become discouraged and begin to doubt God.
The enemy’s goal is to weaken the resolve of God’s people and to render them spiritually impotent, so they will back down and eventually give up. But the Apostle Paul tells us, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (I Corinthians 10:13 NIV).
Jesus set the example in overcoming when the Spirit of God led Him into the desert to fast and pray for 40 days. Without food and water, He was at His lowest reserves. Seizing the opportunity, Satan came to temp Jesus with the same three destructive forces against the human spirit that he had used to tempt Eve: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). Despite, the enemy’s efforts, Jesus refused to back down or give up. Instead, He wielded the Sword of the Spirit (God’s Word) and defeated the enemy in all three areas.
The difference between these great men of faith and Jesus was that those men gave into the lust of the flesh (how they felt), the lust of the eyes (what they saw), and the pride of life (a prideful arrogance, preferring one’s will over God’s will).
Christians are called to be overcomers through the power and authority given to them through Jesus Christ’s suffering and His shed blood. He overcame and defeated the enemy in the desert, in the Garden, at the cross, and at the tomb. It is up to us to pick up the Sword of the Spirit (God’s Word) and wield it against the enemy. Christians must not succumb to feelings or to what is seen, “for a man’s [prideful] heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps” (Proverbs 16:9). God said, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
Mighty men of faith allowed discouragement, fear, anger, and pride to overwhelm them. God is telling His Church, “You must persevere! Do not back down! Do not give up when things are difficult!” In these troubling and confusing days, God is calling Christians to be strong, courageous, unafraid and encouraged by His Holy Spirit, believing and not doubting that He is with us as we move forward with Him.
PRAYER: FATHER, Forgive me if I have been focusing on what I see and how I feel. Forgive me for any false pride that looks to my will and not Yours. Help me to take my concerns, worries, and fears to You in prayer and trust that You have the answer and will direct my steps. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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