discouraged – The Jesus Chick

Let me first be clear to say that I do not believe in purgatory, but if I did, (and I don’t) I’m relatively sure that I just lived through it. For five days I lay lifeless on the couch. If I rallied for more than 30 minutes I would collapse back into a slump, feeling pain in my body like I’ve never felt.

I felt the Psalmist’s anguish when he wrote in Psalm 88:14-15 “Lord, why castest thou off my soul? why hidest thou thy face from me? I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up: while I suffer thy terrors I am distracted.”

That might be a little more dramatic than my bout with the flu, but it was close. My throbbing head would not allow me to use my eyes for anything that would require focus, such as the computer or Bible. My body ached to the point that I was a “point A (bed) to point B (couch)” kinda gal. I was in too much pain to even listen to Satan! I was just in limbo… i.e. purgatory. Waiting for God to come and fetch me out. I missed Church on Wednesday night which broke my heart because I missed being with the teens and the over all experience gave me a reason to get back in the saddle and ride for Jesus again this morning.

I need ramped up. Perhaps you do too! It doesn’t take the flu to get you away from God. Just everyday life can take its toll. It’s so easy to get lackadaisical about serving Christ when you’re in purgatory. We often count on someone else to “buy” us out by giving us an encouraging word or allowing us to live vicariously through their zealous service. A friend messaged me yesterday to say that they had 7 saved in their revival this week, that’s exciting stuff! But I played no part… I want my own trophies of grace to lay at the feet of Jesus. I want to tell somebody what my LORD did for me, and rev up their soul to be saved. I want to walk down that Roman’s Road of Salvation with a new friend in Christ and put a few new mile markers of my own in the dirt.

What about you Saint of God?

Revival fires start with just a little kindling. What are you doing today to ignite that fire? I have sat on the couch for 5 days in a heap of wet wood. Today’s my day and here’s the game plan. Meditate on Psalm 85:6-7 ~ Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? Shew us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation.

We have but to ask in sincerity and God is faithful to provide. My heart needs stirred, and so I’m asking.

I know I’m not alone when I say that I have days when I’m weary. Those times when I look around and feel somewhat like Elijah who though he was the last one left when Jezebel sought to kill him and the Lord had to remind him that he was not alone. I know I’m not alone, I know that there are countless servants of God out there on the battlefield with me, but Satan loves to get you feeling weary so he makes you believe you’re outnumbered.

Two places in the Bible we find the phrase “weary in well doing,” both written by Paul, someone who assuredly had moments that he could have been weary. I found it interesting that both forms of weariness were tied to other people.

Don’t grow weary of the weak

I can handle an unsaved sinner’s bad behavior, but I run the risk of growing weary at a child of God who uses the excuse “Well it’s just how I am” for obnoxious and rude behavior or blatant sins against God. But Paul encourage the believers to take care of one another, encourage those who are serving in the faith, and leave all others to God; because we all reap what we sow, good or bad. So I’m here to encourage you today! March on soldier, we have work to do!

Galatians 6

⁹And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

¹⁰As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Don’t Grow Weary of the Wicked

Watching the news is enough to make you want to tuck your head under a covers and yell “even so Lord Jesus come!” But couple that with attacks and persecution on the local level and the days are rough. We’re living in a time that our grandparents could never even fathom; a time when men (and women) embrace wickedness and shun the gospel. A time when people defend a religion of hate and hate a religion of defenders, it’s insanity is it not? But Paul said don’t grow weary.

2 Thessalonians 3:13

¹³But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

In reading the text that leads up to verse 13 Paul encourage the believers that he has confidence in them that they’ll continue on even in the face of wicked men that do not have faith. What a supporter Paul was even in the days that he himself needed encouragement to continue. Paul tells them to draw away from “that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.” There’s a time that you need to get away from the naysayers and the blasphemers and those who tear down our God and us.

I hope that today you’ll get your Bible and get alone with the Word of God and let Him speak great peace to your soul.

Perhaps this is your only time today and you chose to spend it with me. I’m honored and humbled. I pray that I encouraged you to keep on keepin’ on and that you’ll encourage me back by a comment or by sharing this blog with your friends.

Weary not my friends… I’m with ya!

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Tag: discouraged

From the couch of purgatory

Dear Mr., Miss or Mrs. Weary… read on