We have this yorkshire terrier named Sergeant that we've had for 8 years. He's part of the family and my best little buddy. He got very, very sick this weekend and by the grace of God we were able to get him to the animal hospital at a point when he could have died instead. He got sick over the weekend in the early morning hours of Sunday so we were unable to watch him like we would have liked because of church and couldn't take him in anyway because of the weekend. While we waited for Monday to roll around and prayed for him to pull through, we couldn't help but hear discouragement and worry knocking on the door....maybe a little guilt thrown in there too because hey, why not? It seems like discouragement is always lurking around the corner during hard times and it seems like the easiest most natural thing to do is to give in and open that door to let it in.
Psalm 125 is a good reminder of what to do when discouragement knocks:
A song of ascents.
Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore. The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous,for then the righteous might use their hands to do evil. Lord, do good to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart. But those who turn to crooked ways the Lord will banish with the evildoers.Peace be on Israel.
When discouragement or defeat is knocking we have two choices:
1) To answer and walk down the path of discouragement, fear, worry, anger, defeat, darkness and heaviness, or
2) Don't answer. Look to the Heavens instead for encouragement, hope, joy, freedom, light and life.
The first is a path of darkness focused on yourself with little to no way out; the latter is a path full of life with your way out being to look up at the strongest, biggest mountain you can lean on - Jesus. Jesus is the mountain; Jesus is your strength. When you feel discouragement or defeat knocking, pause, look to the Heavens, and ask Jesus for direction and encouragement. Giving a head nod in his direction won't help any. Stop what you're doing, spend time in prayer, praise or worship and redirect your perspective and path on the only One who matters. The circumstances may not change at all, but your attitude toward the circumstances will. You can look at any situation with new eyes that see things clearly with a focus solely on Jesus and his will for your life.
We prayed and took Sergeant to the animal hospital with confidence that Jesus and the amazing doctors would take care of him. He spent almost a week there being loved on, medicated and nursed back to health. He received prayer from the techs and from all our family and friends. By the time he was ready to go home, he was a happy healthy boy. We were sad for our little dog but God used the experience to teach us to be encouraged in discouraging times and to unite seemingly unconnected people with the same goal and purpose. We feel like this is something God wants us to carry into all aspects of our lives.
Next time you feel like discouragement or defeat are waiting outside your door, please take time with Jesus and ask for a shift in focus. You'll be surprised with the effect. :)
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