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Facing Discouragement!!!

Many of us, such as myself, have found at one time or another that kingdom work can be challenging. We can give everything we have to God's service and come away exhausted. That is what happened to Elijah. God used Elijah to call down fire from heaven in a spectacular display of divine power. But Elijah's exhilaration was soon replaced by strenuous work followed by death threats, causing him to flee for his life. Elijah found himself alone, exhausted, and discouraged.

"And he said, "I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life." 1 Kings 19:14.

God then comes to Elijah again. This time, He came not in a fire or in a loud, spectacular way, but in a still, small voice. God's servant was tired, and God brought him comfort. Elijah's focus had shifted from God to God's enemies. Elijah had allowed his circumstances to overwhelm him, leaving him disoriented to God and feeling alone. So God encouraged him. God provided Elisha for him as a helper, friend, and companion. God removed Elijah from the activity for a time, so that he could rest and spend time with God. When the nation next saw him, he was rejuvenated and refocused on God and His assignment.

If we find ourselves overwhelmed by kingdom work so that our focus is no longer on God but on all that there is to do, we need to let Him comfort us. Listen to His gentle voice. He will encourage us and provide us exactly what we need to prepare us for what is coming next. If He needs to remove us from our work for a time, He will. He may place a friend or a co-laborer beside us to help us carry the load. God knows exactly how to encourage us. We need to let Him do so.

May God Richly Bless You Today!! H Trent!

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