The Dirty D

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Sir Francis Drake, the great explorer, upon returning from one of his globe encircling voyages, anchored his ship in the little river Thames A dangerous storm arose and it seemed that his ship would flounder. Someone standing near the old weather-beaten seaman heard him say through gritted teeth, "Must I who have escaped the rage of the ocean be drowned in a ditch?" It often happens that a Christian who has withstood the onslaughts of Satan in severe trails and temptations, comes to discouragement because of a minor difficulty.

James a Chapman, Chapman's Choice Outlines & Illustrations,

Zondervan, 1947, p.49

 

 

 

2 thoughts about Discouragement:

Discouragement is sneaky… we can weather a major setback, the death of a child, the loss of a job, a divorce. But many times the slow drain of discouragement can wreak havoc on us. 

 

Discouragement happens when we hold up our accomplishments, personal gain, success, attention and popularity to others. We think we deserve better and we think this by comparing our lives to others. You start to think- things just are not fair, its not going the way I had planned. 

But the truth is that discouragement happens most when we lose sight of the value of relationships. 

First thing you need to do is reconnect with those you are closest to in your life. Talk to them, be with them just connect with them. You will quickly realize that its not what you don’t have- it’s who you have that makes the difference. 

 

The value of laughter is underrated and you need to find laughter somewhere. 

 

Jesus is crazy about you. That is truly what is most important. 

 

Realize in my weakness I am strong in Christ. God looks best when he shines in our weakness. Look no one is going to be surprised if you shine in business if you are good in business. But when you shine in mentoring young men and you didn’t have a good Dad, no man mentor in your life and you even struggled in your own identity… when you do great in that area- you can easily say “it was Gods strength in me”. 

 

Reinvent yourself. I am watching the Last Dance special on ESPN about Michael jordan. It is amazing… the thing that stands out the most to me is how in his first retirement it was not about quitting basketball but more about reinventing himself. He was burned out, fried, the pressure was like a slow drain…. so he became a baseball player. New surroundings, new people, new challenges and no expectations. 

Who does this remind me of? David in the OT. He was supposed to be King. He was a shepherd boy but not rather than taking the throne he had to run for his life. He raised up an amazing army of no name men who became the Baddest boys on the block. He reinvented himself.

So what can you do to reinvent yourself? Take some classes, get involved in a new ministry at church, change jobs, 

 

Bonus: Read great and inspiring biographies. When you hear and see how others have overcome great obstacles in life it gives you an extra push to keep going.