What does it take to make you feel discouraged? And how much more would it take to cause you to lose all hope?
These days no matter how well organised your plans are, one positive test and all the plans are out the window. One day we’re living life joyfully and faithfully, and the next, we are battered by discouragement and our faith feels shaky. So how are we meant to deal with this feeling of discouragement?
In this week’s Old Testament reading we hear about God’s prophet Elijah. Now Elijah was a man who certainly knew how the power of God changed lives, so it comes as a bit of a surprise when we hear that he had become so down and discouraged by threats against his life that he wanted to die. He had completely lost sight of God’s care and provision.
When we feel discouraged in life, we too can lose sight of God. We can get so lost that we feel that God has abandoned us. But our moods and feelings don’t change God’s love and care. Even though Elijah had completely given up hope, God did not give up on him. God sustained him through his time of discouragement and called him to continue in His plans for him.
Whenever you are feeling discouraged, remember Elijah and the way that God sustained him through all his feelings of discouragement. Just as God helped and encouraged Elijah so too he will help you in your time of discouragement. Just as God strengthened Elijah in his faith and affirmed his calling, so too He will strengthen your faith and affirm you in your calling.