Too much attention to circumstances and even to well meaning people, can discourage us.
Humans will often fail us, whether wars, famines, bankruptcy, or professional or personal interactions. Our response must be to love those who bring us pain and discourage us. But we can not do this on our own. We need God to help us. We press on, trusting him and love one another.
I’ve found that trust in God grows as we marinate in Scripture and remember the greatness of God.
The psalmist begins Psalm 71 with trust in God as refuge.
“In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame! In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me, and save me! Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.”
(Psalm 71:1-3 ESV)
A little later, the writer recalls the greatness of God and moves into trust.
“Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you? You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again. You will increase my greatness and comfort me again. I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel. My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed. And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long, for they have been put to shame and disappointed who sought to do me hurt.” (Psalm 71:19-24 ESV)
So, when you find yourself discouraged or feel attacked, turn to Him, soak for a few moments in Scripture and remember the greatness of God. Then decide to love. Don’t let bitterness gain a foothold. Let’s love God, our neighbor, one another, and our enemies (whether real or perceived).
Soli Deo Gloria!
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