Some Cures for Discouragement

Discouragement is a disease unique to human beings, and it's universal -- eventually everyone gets it, including those in ministry. I have no doubt you've experienced discouragement at times, maybe many times. You might even be discouraged at this very moment.

WHAT CAUSES DISCOURAGEMENT?

1. FATIGUE
When you're physically or emotionally exhausted, you're a prime candidate to be infected with discouragement. Your defenses are lowered and things can seem bleaker than they really are. This often occurs when you're halfway through a major project and you get tired.
2. FRUSTRATION
When unfinished tasks pile up, it's natural to feel overwhelmed. And when trivial matters or the unexpected interrupt you and prevent you from accomplishing what you really need to do, your frustration can easily produce discouragement.
3. FAILURE
Sometimes, your best laid plans fall apart -- the project collapses -- the deal falls through -- no one shows up to the event. How do you react? Do you give in to self-pity? Do you blame others? As one man said, "Just when I think I can makes ends meet -- somebody moves the ends! That's discouraging!
4. FEAR
Fear is behind more discouragement than we'd like to admit. The fear of criticism (What will they think?); the fear of responsibility (What if I can't handle this?); and the fear of failure (What if I blow it?) can cause a major onset of the blues.

WHAT'S THE CURE FOR DISCOURAGEMENT? 

There's a fascinating story in the Bible about how a guy named Nehemiah mobilized the residents of Jerusalem to build a wall around the entire city. Half way through the project, the citizens became discouraged and wanted to give up -- because of the FOUR causes I've given.
Here's what Nehemiah taught about defeating discouragement (Nehemiah 4):

1. REST YOUR BODY
If you need a break -- take one! You'll be more effective when you return to work. If you're burning the candle at both ends, you're not as bright as you think!
2. REORGANIZE YOUR LIFE
Discouragement doesn't necessarily mean you are doing the wrong thing. It may just be that you are doing the right thing in the wrong way. Try a new approach. Shake things up a little.
3. REMEMBER GOD WILL HELP YOU
Just ask Him. He can give you new energy. Theres incredible motivating power in faith.
4. RESIST THE DISCOURAGEMENT
Fight back! Discouragement is a choice. If you feel discouraged, it's because youve chosen to feel that way. No one is forcing you to feel bad. Hang on! Do what's right in spite of your feelings. No feeling lasts forever.

 -Article by: Pastor Rick Warren-
Thanks a lot Pastor! :)

HE REALLY CARES

DO YOU WONDERED IF GOD STILL CARES?
Would you believe me and would you listen if I told you that...

He cares for you, for me and for us so much! I know some of us think they are not, why? Because of their troubles, because of their pains, because of their problems, because of their sickness and anything that brings them so much sadness. You know what? Raising a person from the dead, feeding every hungry person in one meal, removing all the diseases from the planet is too easy to God IF AND ONLY IF WE BELIEVE AND TRUST IN HIM. Let me tell you a story..

Jesus and His disciples are at a wedding in Cana. (John 2:1-11). In a wedding, they will celebrate for several days, there would be gift-giving,speech making, food-eating and the most important, wine-drinking. Food and wine were taken very seriously. Without wine, "there is no joy". The absence of wine was a social embarrassment. Can you imagine Jesus inaugurating His first miracle?The inauguration of miracle is motivated not by tragedy or famine or moral collapse but by concern and love for a brother or for friends who need it.

Why? Because miracle tells you that what matters to you matters to God. You probably think it's true when it comes to the big stuff. When it comes to the major-league difficulties like death, disease, sin and disaster—you know that God cares. But what about the smaller things? What about broken dishes, late flights or toothaches. Do these matters to God?
I mean, He got a universe to run, He got the planets to keep balanced, presidents and kings to watch over. Who we are to tell him about our ingrown toenail? I’m glad you asked, let me tell you who you are. Allow the bible to proclaim who you are.
Roman 8:17 “You are eternal, like angel”
1 Corinthians 9:25 “You have a crown that will last forever”
Deuteronomy 26:19 “You are destined “praise, fame, and honor and you will be holy people””.

As a result, if something is important to you, it’s important to God. Get it? You should!! He is your Dad, and you are His son. He’s Job is to help you. He is hurt when your hurt, why did Jesus change the water into wine? Because He love his friends, what bothered them bothered Jesus. If it hurts the child, it hurts the father.
Tell God what hurts, He won’t turn away, He is able to understand our weaknesses.
DOES GOD CARE ABOUT ME, YOU AND US? You better believe it.
What matters to you, matters to HIM.