Probably everyone reading this meditation gets discouraged from time to time. It is a universal problem and very common. Discouragement is a recurring disease. Another problem with discouragement is that it is very contagious. Others can become discouraged because we are discouraged.
Would you like some good news? Discouragement is curable. To learn how to handle discouragement, let’s go to the book of Nehemiah. Many of you may know the story of how he led a Jewish group back to Israel from Babylon. The first thing they did was to rebuild the wall. At first, the people were very excited. In chapter 4, verse 6, we read, “So we rebuilt the wall until all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.” Later, their mood changed, and in verses 10-12, we read, “Then the people of Judah began to complain, The workers are getting tired, and there is so much rubble to be moved. We will never be able to build the wall by ourselves.” 11 Meanwhile, our enemies were saying, “Before they know what’s happening, we will swoop down on them and kill them and end their work.” 12 The Jews who lived near the enemy came and told us again and again, “They will come from all directions and attack us!”
This story reveals why we get discouraged and what to do when we feel like giving up. Years ago, at a conference for pastors, I heard one of the speakers say, “Remember this – it is always too soon to give up.” There have been many times when I have been discouraged and felt like giving up, but then I remembered “It is too soon to quit.” We need to stay the course that God has laid out for us. He will never leave us or forsake us. As we look at this account in the book of Nehemiah, I think there are some specific reasons why we get discouraged.
1. We become exhausted.
The people of Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out.” The workers were just plain tired — physically, mentally, and emotionally. Maybe that describes some of you today. It is easy to think that discouragement is a spiritual problem. Some who are discouraged may think, “I just need to rededicate myself to the LORD.” That is always a good thing to do, but it won’t refresh you physically if you are just plain burned out. Probably what we need is some rest, relaxation, and even some sleep or take a vacation.
In Nehemiah 4:6, we read, “So we built the wall till all of it reached half its height.” One of the most frequent times we get discouraged is when we are halfway through a project. When we lived in Ft Wayne, we bought a house that had a different type of wallpaper in every room. Joyce wanted to remove the wallpaper, but it wouldn’t come off, and I found that I was scuffing up the wallboard. I was almost sick because I felt like I was destroying our home. I called someone who did this kind of restoration. He came and took a look and said, “You are doing a good job.” He gave me a bucket of wall patch and showed me how to cover the scarred areas. I got it all done, and then we painted, and it turned out very well. Remember, it is always too soon to quit. If you are tired — do something about it.
2. We can become discouraged because we are frustrated. In Nehemiah 4:10, we read, “There is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.” They were building a new wall, but old, broken rocks from the previous wall were everywhere, along with dirt and dried-out mortar. It was a discouraging sight. Lesley and I have begun to watch some of the house renovations on TV, and there is usually a lot of rubble or other issues they had not anticipated. They always keep the goal in mind as to what it will look like when the project is finished.
All of us have to deal with the “rubble” that we face. We can’t seem to avoid it, but we can learn to recognize it and figure out how to deal with it. So many times, it is trivial things that sap our time and energy. We need to prioritize what is really important and deal with it one at a time.
3. We also get discouraged because we feel that we have failed. In Nehemiah 4:10, we find the people complaining — “We cannot rebuild the wall.” I think they looked at their circumstances and said, “We’re too tired. There is rubble everywhere. It’s no use, we might as well give up.” Their confidence was in the tank. They were having a pity party. Do you ever do that? You say, “Poor me. Things will never get better. I give up.” Maybe you blame others. “Nobody likes me. People I thought I could count on have let me down. They didn’t do their part of the job or keep their promises, so I can’t do mine.”
I love what the Lord said to Isaiah (41:10): “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” With help like God has promised, why should we give in to discouragement and fail?
4. I think there is another reason why we get discouraged. In Nehemiah 4:11, we read, “Our enemies said, ‘Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and kill them and put an end to this work.’” They were afraid. They gave in to fear. There were people in the land of Israel who did not want the wall rebuilt. The wall would give the Jews security, and they would be able to defend themselves. So, the enemies said, “We’re going to kill you if you keep on with this project.” Fear always results in discouragement.
I mentioned earlier that there is a cure for discouragement.
What is it?
Nehemiah was a wise leader and a man of God; I believe God showed him what to do.
A. He reorganized the people.
In Nehemiah 4:13, we hear this man of God say, “Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points in the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears, and bows.” Maybe things aren’t going as well in your life. Perhaps you need to reorganize and have the LORD show you a better way. When you get discouraged, it doesn’t mean you are doing the wrong thing. Maybe you are just going about it in the wrong way. What in your life is not working well? Don’t give up. Ask the LORD to show you a better way to do it. Reorganize your time, your schedule, and refocus on your goal(s). That which seems urgent may not be.
B. Remember who your leader is.
In Nehemiah 4:14, we find him saying — “After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, ‘Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the LORD, who is great and awesome.’” Satan wants us to focus on our problems. We need to stay focused on the LORD. Here is where recommitting or rededicating ourselves to Him would be a good thing. The scriptures are full of God’s promises. He has assured us of His presence and His power. Remember Him. In Hebrews 13:5, God says, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Folks, you can count on that!
C. We need to fight discouragement.
In Nehemiah 4:14, God’s man said, “Fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” We are in a war with Satan and the powers of darkness. In James 4:7, we are told “Resist the devil.” Resist his negative thoughts that will cause discouragement. In Mark 9:23, Jesus said, “Anything is possible if a person believes (in Me). We can be overcomers in our lives if we truly trust the Lord. I hope this study will be helpful to you whenever you feel discouraged. We don’t have to live under those dark clouds.
Blessings, Pastor Leonard
