Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Overcoming Discouragement

 

[Photo of a sunlit field with words superimposed]


“I cried out to God for help…”
—Psalm 77:1a

As a child, did you learn to sing Jiminy Crickett’s Song?

When you are discouraged
and you don’t know right from wrong.
Give a little whistle.
Give a little whistle.

If you learned the song, did you ever try it? Did it work?

The Psalmist, faced with discouragement, tried another tact in Psalm 77:1-2, 10-15:

I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me.

When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted.

Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

Instead of joining the “Jiminy Cricket Team,” let’s stay faithful to the team whose captain has already chosen us to belong to Him. He will help us in our discouragement. He will make certain we know right from wrong.

 

Copyright © 2015 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.