Hello Everyone,

What are The Causes of discouragement

Nehemiah 4:10-11 Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.”

¹¹ Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.”

They were Worn out.

They had been working hard, but still things weren’t going anywhere. They had lost their zest for the work.

v. 6 So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.

It was halfway done. That’s where we often get discouraged, when we’re in the thick of it.

Steele our grandson always gets excited to go walk on the beach, or around the block at home but halfway around the block he’s tired! Guess what, it’s just as far to get back!!

When do you get tired of your car? When it’s about half paid for!

When does marriage get old? Halfway thru. Somewhere between ‘I do’ and ‘You’d better!’

When is school the most boring? After lunch!

What’s the most depressing part of winter? Half way thru!

When’s the most discouraging time for men? Middle age…mid-life crisis!

A guy looks at his life and gets discouraged. His body / his job / his goals!

It’s time to buy the sports car, unbutton your shirt and tell the world you’ve still got it.

Halfway thru is when we get worn out…like rowing a boat across a big lake…in the middle you are worn out, but you realize to turn back is useless.

You are worn out and discouraged, and maybe the only thing that sounds good is sitting still!

The men of Judah are worn out physically, emotionally, and psychologically.

It is best to know your limits, and learn how to say no, for if you get worn out you can get discouraged, and then you’re no good to anybody, and will HAVE to say no to everybody!

We get Weighted down.

v. 10 “so much rubble”

They were looking at the total job, instead of just their section. They had miles to go and had their eyes on the wrong focus. Rocks everywhere. They were trying to juggle too much…they let life just pile up on them.

We must:

· Prioritize—not just what’s the most fun, but what’s most important. Not only what’s most urgent, but truly important.

Set aside daily time for God as a priority. For family / for homework / for a project / and for church.

· Plan—don’t bounce around like a pinball in the machine, but learn to live by a schedule…be organized.

· Plod—this means to just take it a day at a time, don’t look at the whole job and the long term, but take the plan and have some focus…what do I need to do today?!

Just plod away, and keep going. I read this: “Life by the yard it’s hard, by the inch…what a cinch”! How do you eat an elephant? [One bite at a time!]

They were Wasting away.

v. 11 Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.”

Their enemies were planning. And Satan has a plan, so we might as well form a game plan, too! The devil’s plan is to hit us when we’re down and discouraged, and we won’t even see him coming.

So our plan must be not to stay discouraged, but to escape it!

Isaiah 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.

Notice from v. 10 it is compounded when Judah “said” it. That’s how Satan can “spread” it to others. Then it became, “we are not able…”

James 3:4-5

Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. ⁵ Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.

What we say can be encouraging, or discouraging to others around us. The same is true with what we do. You being here today is an encouragement to others, or your absence will be a big discouragement to many.

So, let’s prioritize, let’s plan, and keep plodding along!

Greater Things Are Still To Come!

Pastor Phil