Discouragement
On February eleventh, the first and second year girls had a fabulous woman's meeting with Mary Aldrich, on the topic of Discouragement.
We discussed our natural responses to it, which included: staying in bed, escaping, venting, avoiding the problem, and talking to a lot of people. None of these actually deal with the problem.
And then we discussed how we should react.
1 - Pray. (Psalm 118:5) "Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free."
2 - Get Back to Work. (Philippians 4:13) "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."
3 - Avoid the Discouragers (Nehemiah 6:2-4) "Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, "Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono." But they intended to do me harm. And I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?" And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner."
4 - Avoid Time Consumers. (Ephesians 5:16+17) "making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."
5 - Remove Bad Habits. (Romans 12:2) "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
6 - Rest. (Matthew 11:28) "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
7 - Don't Isolate Yourself. (Nehemiah 4:10) "In Judah it was said, "The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall."
8 - Encourage Someone Else. (Hebrews 10:24+25) "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
9 - Remember How God has Helped You in the Past. (2 Corinthians 1:3+4) "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
10 - Praise Him. (Psalm 89:1) "I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations."
11 - Help Others. (Proverbs 11:25) "Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered."
12 - Remember that God is Our Refuge and Strength. (Psalm 46:1-3) "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling."
We discussed our natural responses to it, which included: staying in bed, escaping, venting, avoiding the problem, and talking to a lot of people. None of these actually deal with the problem.
And then we discussed how we should react.
1 - Pray. (Psalm 118:5) "Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free."
2 - Get Back to Work. (Philippians 4:13) "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."
3 - Avoid the Discouragers (Nehemiah 6:2-4) "Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, "Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono." But they intended to do me harm. And I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?" And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner."
4 - Avoid Time Consumers. (Ephesians 5:16+17) "making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."
5 - Remove Bad Habits. (Romans 12:2) "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
6 - Rest. (Matthew 11:28) "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
7 - Don't Isolate Yourself. (Nehemiah 4:10) "In Judah it was said, "The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall."
8 - Encourage Someone Else. (Hebrews 10:24+25) "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
9 - Remember How God has Helped You in the Past. (2 Corinthians 1:3+4) "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
10 - Praise Him. (Psalm 89:1) "I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations."
11 - Help Others. (Proverbs 11:25) "Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered."
12 - Remember that God is Our Refuge and Strength. (Psalm 46:1-3) "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling."