Overcoming Discouragement Through Faith and Focus on Jesus
Summary
Today, we explored the profound truth that God will indeed allow more on us than we can bear alone, but He will never allow more than He can bear for us. This is a crucial distinction that we must understand to navigate the trials and tribulations of life. We began by debunking the myth that God will not put more on us than we can handle. This misconception often leads to discouragement when we face overwhelming circumstances. Instead, we must recognize that through our obedience and surrender, God can bear our burdens.
We delved into the story of the Israelites in Numbers 21, who grew impatient and discouraged during their journey. Their discouragement led them to speak against God and Moses, resulting in God sending venomous snakes among them. This act of judgment was also an act of mercy, as it brought the Israelites to a place of repentance. They admitted their sin and sought Moses' intercession, which led to God providing a remedy through the bronze snake. This story illustrates that our discouragement often stems from our impatience and lack of trust in God's plan.
We also examined the life of John the Baptist, who, despite his initial bold proclamation of Jesus as the Lamb of God, found himself in a place of deep discouragement while imprisoned. He questioned whether Jesus was truly the Messiah, showing that even the most faithful can experience doubt and discouragement. This serves as a reminder that our faith must be continually nurtured, especially in times of trial.
David's experience in Psalm 73 further highlighted the destructive nature of discouragement. After ending his prayers in Psalm 72, David found himself envious of the wicked and questioning God's justice. This shift from prayer to discouragement underscores the importance of maintaining a close relationship with God through prayer. When we cease to pray, we open the door to discouragement and despair.
The antidote to discouragement is to turn our eyes upon Jesus, as the old hymn suggests. By focusing on His glory and grace, the things of this world, including our discouragement, will grow strangely dim. Jesus' crucifixion, which seemed like a moment of ultimate defeat, was actually the means of our salvation. Similarly, the trials we face can be the very tools God uses to bring about our deliverance and growth.
In closing, we must remember that discouragement is a tool of the enemy designed to make us lose courage and give up. But through faith and obedience, we can overcome it. We must continually look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, and trust that He will provide the strength and encouragement we need to persevere.
### Key Takeaways
1. God Will Allow More Than We Can Bear Alone: It's a common misconception that God will not put more on us than we can handle. In reality, God allows more than we can bear to draw us closer to Him, teaching us to rely on His strength rather than our own. This truth is crucial for understanding our need for divine intervention in our lives. [39:25]
2. Discouragement Stems from Impatience and Lack of Trust: The Israelites' journey in the wilderness teaches us that discouragement often arises from impatience and a lack of trust in God's plan. When we grow impatient and question God's ways, we open ourselves to discouragement. Trusting in God's timing and His ways is essential for overcoming this. [41:24]
3. The Importance of Prayer in Combating Discouragement: David's experience in Psalm 73 shows that a prayerless life leads to discouragement. When we stop seeking God in prayer, we become vulnerable to the enemy's attacks. Maintaining a close relationship with God through prayer is vital for staying encouraged and strong in our faith. [01:01:30]
4. Turning Our Eyes Upon Jesus: The remedy for discouragement is to focus on Jesus. By looking to Him and His sacrifice on the cross, we find the strength and encouragement to overcome our trials. Jesus' crucifixion, which seemed like a defeat, was actually the means of our salvation. Similarly, our trials can be used by God for our deliverance and growth. [01:11:02]
5. Discouragement as a Tool of the Enemy: Discouragement is a tactic used by the enemy to make us lose courage and give up. Recognizing this helps us to combat it effectively. By turning to Jesus and relying on His strength, we can overcome discouragement and continue to walk in God's plan for our lives. [53:13]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[13:12] - Baptism of Ms. Autumn Kidwell
[27:15] - Introduction to the Sermon
[36:49] - The Foundation of Biblical Truth
[39:25] - God Will Allow More Than We Can Bear Alone
[41:24] - The Israelites' Discouragement
[45:02] - God's Judgment and Mercy
[50:14] - Impatience and Discouragement
[53:13] - Overcoming Discouragement
[01:01:30] - The Importance of Prayer
[01:11:02] - Turning Our Eyes Upon Jesus
[01:23:52] - Closing Prayer and Announcements
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Numbers 21:4-9: "They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, 'Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!' Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, 'We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.' So Moses prayed for the people. The Lord said to Moses, 'Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.' So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived."
### Observation Questions
1. What caused the Israelites to grow impatient and discouraged during their journey in Numbers 21? ([41:24])
2. How did God respond to the Israelites' complaints and discouragement in Numbers 21? ([42:40])
3. What was the remedy God provided for the Israelites after they repented and sought Moses' intercession? ([43:35])
4. How does the story of the bronze snake in Numbers 21 relate to the concept of obedience and surrender to God? ([40:11])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God allowed the Israelites to face more than they could bear alone, and what was the purpose behind it? ([38:48])
2. How does the story of John the Baptist's discouragement in prison illustrate the need for continual faith and trust in Jesus? ([55:45])
3. In what ways does David's experience in Psalm 73 highlight the importance of maintaining a close relationship with God through prayer? ([01:01:30])
4. How can focusing on Jesus and His sacrifice help us overcome our own trials and discouragements? ([01:11:02])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by life's challenges. How did you respond, and what role did your faith play in that situation? ([38:48])
2. The Israelites' discouragement stemmed from impatience and lack of trust in God's plan. Are there areas in your life where impatience is leading to discouragement? How can you practice more patience and trust in God's timing? ([41:24])
3. David's discouragement in Psalm 73 was linked to his prayerless state. How consistent is your prayer life, and how might increasing your time in prayer help combat feelings of discouragement? ([01:01:30])
4. John the Baptist experienced doubt and discouragement while imprisoned. How do you handle moments of doubt in your faith journey, and what steps can you take to nurture your faith during difficult times? ([55:45])
5. The sermon emphasized turning our eyes upon Jesus as the remedy for discouragement. What practical steps can you take this week to focus more on Jesus and less on your problems? ([01:11:02])
6. Discouragement is described as a tool of the enemy. How can you recognize and combat discouragement in your life, and what role does community and accountability play in this process? ([53:13])
7. The Israelites had to look at the bronze snake to be healed. What are some "bronze snakes" in your life that you need to look at or address to find healing and encouragement? ([43:35])
Devotional
Day 1: Relying on God's Strength, Not Our Own
God allows more than we can bear to draw us closer to Him, teaching us to rely on His strength rather than our own. This truth is crucial for understanding our need for divine intervention in our lives. When we face overwhelming circumstances, it is not a sign of our failure but an invitation to lean on God. He wants us to recognize our limitations and turn to Him for the strength and support we need. This reliance on God is not a sign of weakness but a testament to our faith and trust in His power and love.
In moments of trial, it is essential to remember that God is with us, ready to bear our burdens. By surrendering our struggles to Him, we allow His strength to work through us, transforming our challenges into opportunities for growth and deeper faith. Trusting in God's ability to carry us through difficult times is a vital aspect of our spiritual journey. [39:25]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you actively surrender this situation to God and rely on His strength instead of your own?
Day 2: Trusting God's Timing and Plan
The Israelites' journey in the wilderness teaches us that discouragement often arises from impatience and a lack of trust in God's plan. When we grow impatient and question God's ways, we open ourselves to discouragement. Trusting in God's timing and His ways is essential for overcoming this. The story of the Israelites in Numbers 21 illustrates how their impatience led to discouragement and ultimately to sin. However, it also shows God's mercy and provision when they repented and turned back to Him.
In our own lives, we must learn to trust that God's timing is perfect, even when it doesn't align with our expectations. By cultivating patience and faith, we can navigate our trials with a sense of peace and assurance that God is in control. This trust in God's plan allows us to remain steadfast and hopeful, even in the face of uncertainty. [41:24]
Psalm 27:14 (ESV): "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"
Reflection: Reflect on a time when impatience led to discouragement in your life. How can you practice trusting God's timing and plan in your current circumstances?
Day 3: The Power of Prayer in Overcoming Discouragement
David's experience in Psalm 73 shows that a prayerless life leads to discouragement. When we stop seeking God in prayer, we become vulnerable to the enemy's attacks. Maintaining a close relationship with God through prayer is vital for staying encouraged and strong in our faith. Prayer is our lifeline to God, providing us with the strength, guidance, and comfort we need to face life's challenges.
By prioritizing prayer, we can keep our focus on God and His promises, rather than on our circumstances. This connection with God helps us to remain grounded in our faith and resilient in the face of adversity. Regular, heartfelt prayer is essential for maintaining a strong and vibrant relationship with God, enabling us to overcome discouragement and remain steadfast in our walk with Him. [01:01:30]
Colossians 4:2 (ESV): "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."
Reflection: Consider your current prayer life. How can you make prayer a more consistent and intentional part of your daily routine to combat discouragement?
Day 4: Focusing on Jesus for Strength and Encouragement
The remedy for discouragement is to focus on Jesus. By looking to Him and His sacrifice on the cross, we find the strength and encouragement to overcome our trials. Jesus' crucifixion, which seemed like a defeat, was actually the means of our salvation. Similarly, our trials can be used by God for our deliverance and growth. When we fix our eyes on Jesus, we are reminded of His love, grace, and power, which can sustain us through any difficulty.
Turning our eyes upon Jesus helps us to see our circumstances from a divine perspective, recognizing that God can use even our most challenging moments for our good and His glory. By focusing on Jesus, we can find the hope and encouragement we need to persevere, knowing that He is with us every step of the way. [01:11:02]
Hebrews 12:2 (ESV): "Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Reflection: In what specific ways can you shift your focus from your current struggles to Jesus and His promises today?
Day 5: Recognizing and Combating the Enemy's Tactics
Discouragement is a tactic used by the enemy to make us lose courage and give up. Recognizing this helps us to combat it effectively. By turning to Jesus and relying on His strength, we can overcome discouragement and continue to walk in God's plan for our lives. The enemy seeks to undermine our faith and confidence in God, but we can stand firm by staying rooted in God's Word and His promises.
Understanding that discouragement is a tool of the enemy allows us to be vigilant and proactive in our spiritual battles. By equipping ourselves with the truth of God's Word and the power of prayer, we can resist the enemy's attempts to derail us. Trusting in Jesus and His victory over sin and death gives us the assurance that we can overcome any obstacle through His strength. [53:13]
Ephesians 6:11 (ESV): "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil."
Reflection: Identify a recent moment of discouragement. How can you use God's Word and prayer to combat the enemy's tactics and find strength in Jesus?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Please don't buy into the urban legend to think that God will not put more on you than you can bear alone. It's not true. But today, like never before, I need you to grasp this. You're not God and neither am I. There's but one Savior and he gave his life on Calvary's cross that you could experience eternal life. But he also says that he died so you could have life of abundance. You see, a life of abundance is the direct opposite of life of abundance. It's the direct opposite of life of abundance. It's the direct opposite of a life of discouragement. It just is." [01:14:02]
2. "You know what they use now? The blood of the lamb. Because they have found out that of all the animals that God created, there is no more powerful blood with the antibodies that can fight the poison that wants to get in our system and ruin us from the inside out than the blood of the lamb. So when John the Baptist, before he was discouraged, I want you to know he declared, behold, the lamb of God who takes away the poison, the sin of the world." [01:15:29]
3. "God will put more on you than you can bear. But listen, the sin and the brokenness of this world, he's already come and paved and made the way that we can be saved." [01:16:39]
4. "God will allow more on you than you can bear, but he will not put more on you than he can bear for you. Because let me tell you, when you're born, every one of us are born with a death sentence, and you can't overcome death, hell, and the grave, but Jesus Christ and his victory on Calvary's cross did. Amen?" [38:48]
5. "So what does it take to overcome those moments when we feel overwhelmed and discouraged? To the point that we don't even believe we can bear it anymore? Real simple. Look to the cross. You see, because this cross up here that we have, though it represents death, it also represents life. You know why? Because there's not a dead Savior on that cross." [01:11:02]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Every passage, every passage of Scripture in the word of God is eternal, and it is literal truth, because it shares the same DNA as our Lord Jesus Christ. Guys, don't ever forget that. You will never see Jesus oppose the word of God, and you'll never see the word of God oppose Jesus Christ. He can't do it. He can't go against himself. But what happens is we take that foundation of truth, and we add to it just a little bit, or we take away just a little bit from it to accommodate situations that we find ourselves in at any moment." [36:49]
2. "Discouragement will cause you to question the things that you previously affirmed about God in your life. You see, discouragement will cause you to miss a divine revelation from God. And I know that there's people here today that need to be encouraged. And I know that we try to encourage people, but we will fail in encouraging people where we need to go to the Lord and let him encourage us." [57:09]
3. "When discouraged, we must recognize the need for an intercessor between our sinfulness and God's righteousness. That's so powerful and so prophetic. Numbers 21 7b says these words, pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us. And here's your result. So Moses prayed, Moses was an intercessor between these people, these sinners, and the holy God." [01:05:46]
4. "When discouraged, we must look to God alone to provide the necessary remedy. When we're discouraged, it seems like we look to everything else in the world before we go to God. You see the bumper stickers on the back of somebody's car? It says, when all else fails, pray. Why don't we make God the last resort? Shouldn't we be, the first thing we do is go to him? If we trust in him and we believe in him, that's what we should do." [01:08:22]
5. "Discouragement is defeated when we turn our eyes upon Jesus and we recognize that he is the doorway to salvation. Turn your eyes upon Jesus. You see, when we turn our eyes upon Jesus, it is a picture of his glory and his grace that has been bestowed upon you. Getting something that we don't deserve." [01:12:26]
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