The fourth weight you need to let go is discouragement.
Michael Jordan is a legendary basketball player for a simple reason, he did not give up. Moments of his career he felt discouraged, but the commitment to the game and to his goals allowed him to turn around and beat one record after the other. His determination and commitment is understood by his own words: ”I’ve missed over 9000 shots in my career, I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game’s winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over & over & over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
In the case of Elijah, the text says “he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there” (1 Kgs 19:3). Elijah was so discouraged that he left his servant there. What a sign of weakness. Elijah did not want to face his problem, so he left someone unqualified to take care of it. Sometimes we carry a load of discouragement and it becomes so heavy that we permit others to do what we are supposed to do. In this process, we develop no muscles of our own.
Discouragement disregards social class, gender, and age. Everyone one day will feel discouraged with something in their lives. But how do we get rid of the dead weight of discouragement? By having a strong commitment!
You can hear a sermon or read a devotional that touches your heart; you will feel impressed, but only a commitment will cause that feeling to become an action. There are many people that come to church to feel moved by emotions. However, only commitment will not allow you to be discouraged. Become a resilient child of God so when the ups and downs of life looks gloom, you will not lose hope.
Discouragement should not occupy the place of your will, or your principles, or your values. Elijah abandoned the boat. Chose to not act. One trial and threat, Elijah became discouraged. One small trial and discouragement consumed him. Elijah was tired after a long day and after the first trial he gave up on everything. You may suffer from what Elijah went through asking why God does not love you anymore. But, let me assure you: God has not left your side. Who is not tired and facing trials at home, work, or because of friends? Discouragement should not be the solution.
Elijah lost sight of the Lord and decided to take matters into his own hands by fleeing the scene that just moments ago was stage for proof that God is almighty. God is not in this next scene because Elijah blinded his eyes with destructive feelings.
Have a commitment with God. In the ups… but also in the downs of life.
Discouragement will come from time to time, but you need to say to yourself: greater than my discouragement is my commitment with God. Place down the weight of discouragement and exercise with the weight of commitment. One weight will make you weak and the other stronger. It is worth to hold on to what God dreamed for you to be. You won’t do this because it is easy, but do this because it is the right thing to do.
My prayer today: I have a commitment with God’s dream for me. I will not give up because of someone’s word against that. I will let go the weight of discouragement. I will have courage because God is with me.
Pastor Lincoln Nogueira