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Date: | Mon, 30 Jul 2007 20:20:30 -0600 |
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That's good stuff.
Brad
At 10:17 AM 7/30/2007, you wrote:
>Dealing With Discouragement
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>
>Nehemiah 1:1-11
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>Discouragement can feel like a big weight on our shoulders. It slows us
>down and makes work more difficult. It can diminish our enjoyment of life.
>
>People drag us down when they regard our best efforts as unsatisfactory. A
>steady stream of criticism from a family member, neighbor, or co-worker
>can affect how we feel about ourselves.
>
>Dissatisfaction with our actions can also prove discouraging. Maybe it
>relates to a personal weakness we can't overcome or a high personal
>expectation we've failed to meet. Either reason can cause discouragement.
>
>Past disappointments cause some of us to have little hope for the future.
>Financial pressures, declining health, and painful relationships take a
>toll on our emotions.
>
>The life of Nehemiah teaches an important lesson about handling
>discouragement. He was a Hebrew living in Persia and serving as cup-bearer
>for the king. Nehemiah heard a report about the poor condition of
>Jerusalem and the plight of the Jews. He was deeply affected. In his
>disappointment over their situation, Nehemiah turned to the Lord in
>prayer. He knew only His great God could change the situation. In the same
>way, our discouragement should drive us to cry out to the Lord.
>
>Nehemiah praised God's awesome character, confessed his sins and the sins
>of others, recalled divine promises, and presented his request. Let's
>follow Nehemiah's example and take our disappointments to the Lord in prayer.
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