Dismissing Your Discouragement
Are you discouraged? It has been a long and difficult 5 Quarters. There is no end in sight for the menace of COVID-19, not to mention the other difficulties of life. Sometimes it seems that the bad things are piling on and there is no help. Discouragement is understandable.
But while understandable, discouragement is never a good place to stay. You do not have to think hard to understand who benefits from your discouragement. And since it is the enemy of our souls who benefits, it is also certain that he is the source of our discouragement.
This week I have been reading Paul’s letters to Timothy and they are instructive concerning where discouragement comes from and how to escape it.
Paul invited the young Timothy to become part of his team of traveling missionaries, and Timothy agreed. He quickly became one of Paul’s favorite helpers. Timothy was more gifted, both naturally and by the Spirit, than he realized. Paul trusted him enough to use him as a delegate, which meant that Timothy was sent on missions without Paul. These were apparently hard for Timothy and he became discouraged. To counter his discouragement and fill him with enthusiasm Paul wrote letters to Timothy while they were separated. Paul’s goal was to encourage Timothy to be the strong man of faith that Paul clearly saw in him!
Here are a few of Paul’s attempts to fill Timothy with courage…
1. Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 2:1)
2. …continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of… (2 Timothy 3:14)
3. Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. (2 Timothy 4:2)
I like to use my imagination when I read Scripture, so as I read 2 Timothy, I imagine Timothy receiving the letter from Paul and reading it to himself. He is alone in the city where Paul sent him, things are not going as he hoped or planned, and he only wants to return to Paul. In my mind’s eye I see Timothy slumped over in defeat, without energy or passion for his mission, feeling like a failure. I recognize this portrait because it has been me at many points of my life and work.
Timothy reads Paul’s words…
What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. (2 Timothy 1:13-14)
I see him straightening up a little. Timothy realizes that he is not alone in this city, he is sent – by Paul who is his trusted mentor and friend. Far from being alone and without resources, Timothy lets his mind embrace the amazing gifts he has received…
1. Partnership with Paul
2. The gospel that is his pattern of sound teaching
3. The faith and love in Christ Jesus – who promised to be with us always
4. The story that was entrusted to him – how his life is part of God’s great story and his actions matter.
5. The Holy Spirit who lives in him is present and powerful.
Timothy is standing now, praising God who is always faithful. He has shaken his discouragement through awareness of the great gifts God has given him. He is filled with enthusiasm and is ready to complete his mission.
What changed for Timothy? Before receiving Paul’s letter Timothy was Paul’s partner and friend, he knew and trusted the gospel, he was the recipient of Jesus’ faith and love, he was an important part of God’s ongoing story, and he had the Holy Spirit living in him. But in his discouragement, he forgot all these truths – forgot all his blessings!
When Timothy read Paul’s letter, he did not receive anything new – because he already had all that he needed in his life! But the enemy deceived him into feeling isolated, alone, without companions, and even without the presence and power of Jesus and the Spirit. He sat slumped over, nearly defeated, while being a treasure trove of riches and blessings. He just did not remember what he had been given.
But Paul reminds him. And as Timothy remembers, he begins to feel the power that was always his, he recognizes the presence of Jesus and the Spirit working in and through him, and he becomes courageous. The new thing that Paul gave Timothy was simply awareness – the ability to see the blessed state he was already living in.
Are you discouraged? Lift up your head, remember what God has already done for you, claim the presence of Christ and the Holy Spirit in your heart and life. Stand tall, not in your own power and might, but aware that God has called you, blessed you, empowered you, and sent you out to represent Christ in the world. Truly you have all you need.
No wonder the enemy wants to discourage you, he is afraid of your impact.