Four Results of Discouragement

Since our attitude really determines the outcome we need to consider what happens when discouragement comes our way. When things seem to go wrong, well okay, do go wrong in our plans it is an opportunity for discouragement to set in. Therefore, we need to be prepared and recognize the steps that can lead us down the discouragement pathway and ultimate sense of failure.

The first result of discouragement is the shattering of our self image. Discouragement causes us to see ourselves as less than we really are.

I don’t have any idea what you think of the Bible but it has a great example of what this whole discouragement process in the Old Testament prophet Elijah. Elijah comes onto the pages of Scripture in the book of First Kings. He is a fiery, powerful prophet who bursts upon the scene. He is the prophet who has a show-down with the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel. He challenges them, “the God who answers by fire, let Him be God.” Jehovah God sends fire and consumes the sacrifice. A powerful demonstration that there is an all-powerful God who hears and answers prayer.

You would think that Elijah would now be unshakable in his belief and faith. But the very next thing we find is that Elijah plunges into discouragement.

The second result of discouragement is that it causes us to avoid our responsibilities. When we are discouraged we tend to withdraw from people and our responsibilities as much as is possible. We withdraw from friends. We hide in our house or our room or our apartment. We just want to be left alone.

The next scene in the life of Elijah we find him hiding in a cave on Mt. Horeb. He has traveled for a month to get away from Mt. Carmel and all that happened there. He was avoiding all the things he was supposed to be doing and the places he was supposed to be at.

The third result of discouragement is that we blame others for our predicament. I have done all that I was supposed to do and others did not hold up their end of the bargain. Why is it that I am the only one doing the work? If they just would have given a little bit of help I wouldn’t be so discouraged.

Elijah said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, torn down Thine altars and killed Thy prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”

The Fourth result of discouragement is that we blur the facts. When we are discouraged we are not interested in the truth. We are not interested in knowing the facts. We just want to blame everybody else. But the truth is we need to open our eyes and ears to know what is really going on in this situation.

Elijah found out that there were still 7,000 others in Israel that were being faithful to Jehovah. He was not alone. He needed to stop this pity-party and get on with the work that he was to do.

Success today does not mean I will not have opportunities for discouragement tomorrow. That is why I must be aware of the signs of discouragement. When I first notice them I need to take the action of controlling my thoughts and keep things in perspective. Tameka Alexander has found things to be working very in the world of internet marketing. She was willing to take the time to learn and learn from her mistakes. urdailymoneymaker. 7thousandaweek. ebaywebwealth. yourholidaysuccess. She has at least four marketing opportunities on the go at the moment.