When Discouragement Comes
As you all know, we have opened a bible study class for those who have signed up for it. It is about marriage.
I personally have learned a lot from the textbook and it has been very beneficial to me as well. Last week’s class was good I believe.
The content was good. The atmosphere was good. How people were sharing their thoughts on the matter to each other was good too.
I personally was very satisfied with how it went.
However, I have failed to follow the things that I have learned and taught to people. I failed to love my wife in a way
that Christ has loved me that He showed me on the cross. I felt ashamed. I felt discouraged. It happens to many pastors. We pastors
are in a position where we have to share and teach good, biblical, and right things from the bible. Sometimes we carry that burden
of being perfect models even though people have never really asked us to be like that. And I think I had that moment last week.
And I thought to myself that I am such a hypocrite. and this idea of being discouraged came to my mind. I know exactly
what to do when that happens. “Just stay discouraged.” That is who I was. When discouragement happens, I get discouraged and stay
that way for a long time. However, this time, God touched my heart to stay encouraged instead.
When this evil spirit of discouragement sneaks into my heart and say, “You are such a hypocrite. You can’t please God.
God will not work through you. You don’t want to do this ministry anymore, do you?” I usually listened and followed its voice. But God
talked to me otherwise and I have chosen to follow His voice instead. “I still love you. I know you are not perfect. I know you fail sometime.
But my love and faithfulness for you is perfect. I am your shelter and strength. I have saved you before and I am continuing to save you
from your shortcomings. Come to me. Stay in my grace. Read my Word and pray to me. I will work through you.”
God made me realize one thing. When I feel discouraged or even feel being a hypocrite, God still sees my future and growth.
Satan doesn’t want us to see that future that God holds and carries. But God is holding our present and future. He knows about us so much
better than us or Satan. He knew we would fall. We are much more flawed, sinful, and hypocritical than we think before God. But God’s
grace abounds more than we can ever imagine. Discouragement comes? That’s a good sign. Why? Because it shows there is much more
space for us to grow in the grace of God. Let’s look to Jesus.
Neal Lee