Withstanding Discouragement

[AlexB23]

Hello folks. Today's devotional covers how to weather discouragement. This one is for you, my brother, @Lost Witness .

Date​	July 6, 2024 | Weathering Discouragement​
Verse​	Job 38:1; 8-11 (NIV): "Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: “Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, when I made the clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness, when I fixed limits for it and set its doors and bars in place, when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt’”?" Mark 4:35-41 (NIV): "That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, ‘Let us go over to the other side.’ Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!”’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’ They were terrified and asked each other, ‘Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!’" Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV): "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." Lamentations 3:19-24 (NIV): "I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassion never fails. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.’" Psalm 121:7-8 (NIV): "The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."​
Explanation​	These five passages from the Bible speak to the power and faithfulness of God in various situations, including the natural world and human suffering. Let's explore how these passages relate to weathering discouragement, how God protects us, and the perspective on the suffering of Jesus. Job 38:1-11: In this passage, God speaks to Job from the midst of a storm, reminding him of His power and control over the natural world. God had set limits to the sea, and even the storm could not overpower it. This passage teaches us that God is in control of all things, even the most powerful and seemingly uncontrollable forces, like the weather. It encourages us to trust in God's sovereignty during times of hardship and encourages us to remember that He is always present and working in our lives. Mark 4:35-41: In this passage, the disciples are caught in a furious thunderstorm on the lake. They fear for their lives and wake Jesus up, questioning why He doesn't care. Jesus rebukes the wind and the waves, calming the storm, and then asks the disciples why they lack faith. This passage teaches us that even in the midst of chaos and danger, God is present and able to bring calm and peace. It also reminds us to trust in God's protection and to have faith, even when things seem uncertain or frightening. Matthew 7:24-27: In this passage, Jesus teaches about the importance of building our lives on a solid foundation. Those who hear and follow Jesus' teachings will be like a wise man who builds his house on the rock. Those who do not follow will be like a foolish man who builds his house on sand. This passage teaches us the importance of putting God's teachings into practice in our lives and staying grounded in our faith. It also reminds us that our actions and choices have consequences and that building our lives on a solid foundation (through faith, scripture and tradition) will bring lasting peace and security. Lamentations 3:19-24: In this passage, the speaker reflects on their past suffering and affliction but finds hope in God's love and compassion. They remember that God's love never fails and that it is new every morning. This passage encourages us to hold on to hope during times of suffering and to trust in God's faithfulness, even when it seems hard. It also reminds us that God's love is a constant source of comfort and strength, no matter what challenges we face. God sent his only Son to suffer for our sins. The pain and agony experienced by Jesus far outweighs anything any human has gone through, so God knows firsthand the hardship His followers endure every day. Psalm 121:7-8: In this passage, the speaker trusts in God's protection and care, knowing that He will keep them from all harm. This passage reminds us that God is always watching over us and that He is our refuge and strength. It also encourages us to trust in God's care, even in the midst of trials and difficulties.​
Societal Relevance​	Regarding the modern world and the various trials and challenges that Christians may face, such as losing a house due to financial difficulties or natural disasters, being ill, persecuted, or going hungry, these passages remind us to trust in God's sovereignty, power, and love. We can find comfort and strength in His presence, even in the midst of trials and difficulties. We are also encouraged to put God's teachings into practice in our lives and to build our lives on a solid foundation of faith. Ultimately, we can trust that God will see us through and that He will bring good out of even the most difficult situations. For myself, nothing major has happened yet, where I have lost a home or have gone hungry, but these verses still apply to my life. For instance, with all the bad news going on in the world, Jesus is my rock. Whether the world ends in two years, two decades, or two million years, my faith in God is unshakable. As a child, I was diagnosed with autism, ADHD and OCD. These still impact my life to this day, however, God has put people in my life that have helped me through this struggle. Remember, God has gone through a lot more hardship compared to us in the Second person of the Trinity as Jesus, as He was tortured and died on a cross in the first century for our sins as Savior. This is why we must try not to complain about our sufferings, and let Jesus carry our baggage on the cross for us Christians and myself. The Good Shepherd takes care of His flock, no matter how difficult the changes are in our lives.​