IBC Bremen Sermons

It is not unusual for even the most spiritual people to have their days of doubt. Moses, on one occasion at least, was overwhelmed by his circumstances. After he had listened to the constant complaining of the children of Israel, he basically told the Lord, “I’m fed up. Just kill me. I don’t want to deal with this another day.” — (Numbers 11:11)

Even the great apostle Paul had moments when he was discouraged. He wrote to the church at Corinth, “We were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life” — (2 Corinthians 1:8).

Jeremiah, the great prophet, faced it as well. He was ridiculed and harassed for giving out the Word of God. Because he was tired of the pressure he was facing, it made him want to stop giving out God’s Word altogether. He said, “The word of the Lord was made to me a reproach and a derision daily. Then I said, ‘I will not make mention of Him, nor speak anymore in His name’ “ — (Jeremiah 20:8-9).

You are not the only one who has ever faced doubt or uncertainty or has been perplexed as to why God did not work in a certain way. You are not the only one to encounter doubt and discouragement. We may be in the midst of God’s working and can’t see the big picture as He can.[1]

Elijah, after his contest with the prophets of Baal on Mt.Carmel, heard that Jezebel had put a contract out on his life. He was so overwhelmed by his circumstances, so discouraged, so uncertain, and so filled with doubt that he said to God, “Take my life.” — (1 Kings 19:10)

Today we will look at the example of Elijah and how God helped him deal with discouragement.

BEING DISCOURAGED COMES FROM CONDITIONS IN LIFE

Many times they come from unrealized expectations.

Elijah came against 850 angry prophets earlier in this book. But he became discouraged after being threatened by a woman.

At other times they come from traumatic events.

But in each case, people experienced an event that caused them to be drained. This drain on their bodies and their spirits led to discouragement, and even depression.

Elijah was drained after the event on Mt. Carmel. We should take care of our bodies especially after intense ministry and sacrifice

But Elijah’s problem with discouragement was a spiritual condition not just a physical or emotional one. He saw Jezebel and forgot to look to the Lord. He listened to Jezebel’s threats and not God’s promises.

Much of our discouragement comes from listening to people who we should not be listening to. We hear a word that hurts us and want to keep that hurt. We say to ourselves that we don’t like those words, but for some reason, we hang on to them. Notice that earlier, Elijah was listening to God. He was not worried about what others would say about him. But because one woman was making a threat on his life, he panicked.

In earlier times, Elijah waited on God’s command (For example: 17:2, 17:8, 18:1, 18:36). Now, Elijah’s fear led to impatience which led to disobedience. (Is. 28:16). Elijah stopped risking his life for God, and started to worry about himself. This worry led to discouragement, made Elijah to make poor decisions:

1. Elijah fled to Judah, forgetting that an enemy was reigning there

(2 Kings 8:16-18)

2. He traveled more then 80 miles into greater danger.

3. Elijah because he wanted to be alone, left his servant, and this caused him to be more discouraged than he already was.

LONELINESS AND DEPRESSION usually go together

It is not good to be alone

And the LORD God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him."

(Genesis 2:18 NKJV)

Don't desert an old friend of your family or visit your relatives when you are in trouble. A friend nearby is better than relatives far away.

(Proverbs 27:10 CEV)

This is especially important when your family and relatives live far away.

Just as iron sharpens iron, friends sharpen the minds of each other.

(Proverbs 27:17 CEV)

Being alone in this condition causes you to make poorer decisions

One of the ways to deal with your discouragement is to reach out and make friends. It does not mean that you dump all of your worries on your friends. But it does mean that you spend time with them. As a matter of fact, spending time with other people will help you get your worries that are discouraging you out of your mind. Why? Because you are starting to think of others and not of yourself.

Elijah had his eyes on himself and his worries about what he had or had not done, and did not have his eyes on God!

THE WAY TO FIGHT DISCOURAGEMENT IS THROUGH REFRESHMENT

God gave Elijah food. (v. 5-6)

God gave Elijah rest. (v. 6-7)

God gave Elijah spiritual nourishment. (v.5-7)

An angel guided Elijah during this time of rest and refreshment. The angel touched Elijah. The angel talked to Elijah. The angel comforted Elijah. God worked to help Elijah recover. Prayer is always helpful in times of discouragement. Prayer allows us to send our frustrations up to God. Prayer also lets us receive comfort from God.

Elijah was strengthened as he spent time with God (v.8). He spent 40 days and nights with God (just as Moses and Jesus did.) While in each of these cases, spending 40 days and nights represented a time that God would use for later service. Jesus started His ministry after 40 days. Moses was given the Ten Commandments after 40 days. Elijah was able to overcome his discouragement and self-pity and worry and confront evil. The same can be true in our case.

Sometimes we are discouraged because we feel inadequate, or not useful. When we spent intense amounts of time with God, he can give us a clearer vision of how He is going to use us. But God will use any amount of time that we give to Him. It is very important that we give Him that time.

You can see that even in the cave, as God was speaking, Elijah was full of self-pity. “I have done this for you God. But look at me.” God says to us: “Stop talking like there is no one like you. Look to Me!”

God showed Elijah the bigger picture. (v.9)

Elijah had to realize that what God planned for him was bigger than his worries. God’s promises were bigger than Elijah’s problems. Elijah could not see it because he was in the middle of his worries. God had to remind Elijah that Elijah was not the only prophet and that God had plans for him. This new perspective of looking beyond your discouragement to see God’s promises can help us out of our discouragement. God’s promises are bigger than our problems.

IS YOUR HUT BURNING?

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him and every day he scanned the horizon for help but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements and to store his few possessions.

But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. "God, how could you do this to me!" he cried.

Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.[2]

It is easy to get discouraged when things are going bad. But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground, it just may be a smoke signal that summons grace of God. For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it:

You say: "It's impossible"

God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)

You say: "I'm too tired"

God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: "Nobody really loves me"

God says: I love you (John 3:16 & John 13:34)

You say: "I can't go on"

God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: "I can't figure things out"

God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say: "I can't do it"

God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)

You say: "I'm not able"

God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: "It's not worth it"

God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28)

You say: "I can't forgive myself"

God says: I FORGIVE YOU (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: "I can't manage"

God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)

You say: "I'm afraid"

God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)

You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"

God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)

You say: "I don't have enough faith"

God says: I've given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)

You say: "I'm not smart enough"

God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: "I feel all alone"

God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)

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