Unshackled Moments ~ July 8 ~ Feeling Discouraged

There is a fine line between wallowing in self pity and venting, acknowledging the truth of how we feel and releasing it rather than stuffing it down and pretending that everything is OK when it's not. Selfishness and self centeredness is the root of all our problems, and the pity party is one event that we always need to refuse to attend. Because of that we may feel like we need to keep a large distance from that fine line. We deny ourselves the freedom to complain or express that we are not OK lest we slip into self pity.

We're like someone who is afraid of sharks refusing to stand on the beach. We feel guilty for complaining. After all, we are supposed to give thanks in all things at all times. But denying the truth of where we are emotionally and mentally is not healthy. Sometimes what we need to give thanks for is that God loves us and cares about our hurts and our discouragement. He knows even better than we how we feel and why. We are not sinning by being honest with Him and with ourselves about it. If we spend a little time in Psalms we will see many times where David expressed his concern over the times of struggle and how long adverse situations lasted. He quickly acknowledged his dismay and discouragement, and yet, he was called a man after God's own heart.

David wasn't afraid to say God, it doesn't look like You're helping me. If doesn't feel like I am going to survive this struggle. It doesn't feel like things are getting any better. In fact, it feels like they're getting worse by the minute. Yet, I will choose to remember that no matter how it feels I know that You are good and care for me.

If you are struggling through a time of difficulty and discouragement don't put on a mask and try to pretend that it's all good. Don't fall for the lie that being discouraged is a failure or lack off faith. Have enough faith to believe that God loves us, even when we want to give up. When we are honest about our fears and our weaknesses we make ourselves open for the God of all comfort to help us, to care for us and to give us the grace to keep going past our own endurance. It is when we try to pretend, to push away the truth of how we feel, that we are forced to try to keep going on our own strength. That never works well, and we end up even more discouraged.

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