Read the first and second posts in the Stay Tender, Stay Ready series: Introduction & Ensuring You Know.
When Moses returned to Egypt and told the Israelites of God’s plans for their deliverance, “the people believed” and “bowed their heads in worship” (Exodus 4:31). Not a few days later they attacked Moses and said, “The LORD look on you and judge, because you have made us stink in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, and have put a sword in their hand to kills us.” (Exodus 5:21) What accounted for such a dramatic change? Their circumstances did. When they were simply slaves with the prospect of freedom, they were thrilled. When their situation got immensely more difficult, they doubted and turned on Moses.
It would be one thing if their response were an isolated instance in scripture, but unfortunately, time and time again men and women were influenced by their circumstances to doubt the Lord and turn from him. While ongoing challenge and trial can have a refining and purifying effect on our spiritual lives, it can also cause some of us to doubt and, if we’re not careful, lead to a hardness of heart. Questions such as, Why would God let me go through this? and Why will he not do anything? can cause much confusion in my heart and I must be mindful that my walk with the Lord does not become a slave to circumstance. So how do you confront discouragement when it strikes?
Pray lots. When my heart is heavy I must resist the temptation to wallow in it, but rather turn my attention and affections to Jesus. I must “consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” (Hebrews 12:3) My Lord and Savior is well acquainted with trial and is quick to encourage and strengthen me with a peace that surpasses all understanding. I can pour out my heart and all its fears and anxieties and entrust them to his care, confident that he can use even this difficulty to grow me into his likeness.
Engage in worship. When discouraged or discontent by the circumstances of life, sadly, I can find myself wanting to avoid corporate worship on Sunday’s. What’s worse, even if I attend, I can find myself not wanting to participate. While it might seem counterproductive when I face difficulty, one of the greatest things I can do is take my focus off the difficulty and place it on my Lord. Singing songs that lift up his name, lift up my spirit within me. Hearing others by faith proclaim the truth we sing, strengthens my heart and gives me a broader perspective on his kingdom work.
Seek forgiveness. When my heart grows hard due to circumstances beyond my control, it is a good time to pause and, like David, ask God to “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 138:23-24) Difficult circumstances have a way of creating in my heart and mind lots of wrong ideas about God. I must depend upon his written word and what it reveals to me about himself. All my thoughts must be taken captive and subject to the truth of his word. Should a circumstance lay me low, it’s a great opportunity to stay there and reflect upon God’s mercy and grace lavished on me through Jesus. It places my trial in perspective and strengthens me to continue.
