Joshua Ellis
01/10/09
Most people are aware of the fact that life is not necessarily always a "bowlful of cherries." There are times when we try to elevate ourselves in life and get knocked back down and discouraged by people and events. Discouragement is one of the things which will inevitably affect everyone and I believe that most people understand the fact that they will have to deal with this sooner or later.
I also believe that people like the feeling of being safe from discouragement within closely-related groups such as families, congregations and friends. There are, however, times when discouragement gets to us from someone or something within the groups we consider as safe. Those with whom we are closely related, regardless of intentions, can discourage us more precisely because of our relation to them.
Within the church we are all supposed to work together as many members of one body (1 Corinthians 12:20). This, however, does not always happen. Sometimes our brethren can discourage us by their actions or speech. If a brother is constantly criticizing you, that criticism has the potential to cause an unpleasant confrontation. However, we should remember that as long as we are doing as God has commanded; we are doing what is necessary. We will not always be able to please everyone, but we are always able to please God.
We can also find ourselves in the role of the one causing the discouragement. Perhaps we said something negative to a brother or acted in a way that was offensive to him. We must remember that we also ought to please God in our relationships with others. The Hebrew writer tells us to assemble so that we may exhort one another (Hebrews 10:25). If we are being overly critical or negative to a brother, then we are obviously not exhorting him. Granted, there will be times of discipline, but for the most part we should be as encouraging as we can to one another.
There will always be something that can keep your spirits down if you allow it. Some have financial trouble, fights at school, or conflicts at work. Why add to the stress and negativity of the world by carrying those attitudes with you when you assemble as a church? Should not the time we spend together serving God be counted as a reminder of a common love we have and a common grace we have found? There is enough discouragement in the world that we can do nothing about. We can, however, make a special effort to do as Paul said and comfort and edify each other, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak and be patient with all (1 Thessalonians 5:11, 14).