Published by You Can Overcome Discouragement
“As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes” (Luke 19:41-42).
It sometimes surprises me that Jesus had to deal with discouragement. I mean, I know I become discouraged and I know that you do too. Our hearts have all felt it bearing down on us; our lips have all spoken of it. To be human is to know discouragement and Jesus came to know it all too well. As he approached Jerusalem for the last time and reflected upon their rejection of him, he wept in discouragement.
Discouragement comes to all of us and it can be a costly thing. It can steal our joy and even our purpose. It is not something to be accepted; it is something to be overcome. Like Jesus, we need to acknowledge our discouragement without being swallowed by it. Jesus wept, but he did not spend the day there sobbing. He knew that there were things to be done in the city and only he could do them.
At the end of his life, Jesus could say, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” He could do that precisely because he knew how deeply he was loved and cared for by God. In the midst of our discouragement, we must remind ourselves of this life-giving truth – God loves me! Regardless of why I am discouraged, this fact will never change. Remember the promises of a loving God and cling to them.
I think Jesus could deal with his discouragement because he could see past the danger and pain and rejection and see God’s possibilities for him. Discouragement is like blinders – the possibilities are there in the distance but we can’t see them for the blinders. Pretty soon, because our vision is blocked, we stop believing in possibilities. Jesus, discouraged by the rejection of those he loved, wept. But he entered the city. And because he did, there is triumph over sin and death; there is resurrection; there is Easter.
I know more about discouragement than I would like to know. But I also know that we serve a God so much greater than our discouragement – a God who loves us deeply and who guarantees the possibility of our tomorrows.
Bill Anderson, Pastor
Pineville Christian Church
“Discouragement is like blinders.” Thank you so much for this wonderful article, it gives love and encouragement in its message. Keep up the good work!
Here’s my Lolly, Bill.
Love you!