Keep Moving Forward In Faith, Despite Frustrations Throwing Up Roadblocks

Word-Of-The-Day: ‘<The Lord said to Joshua,> “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”’ (Joshua 1:9); ‘<Jesus said to the Apostles,> “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in Me.”’(John 14:1)

Lately, I’m getting increasingly frustrated over a myriad of little things. It’s nothing major in particular, just one small little thing after another, after another, after another. It could just be part of the ‘season’, as the ‘Commercial Christmas’ season irritates me with endless dribble on shopping, Santa, and syrupy ‘goodwill’ that really isn’t from the heart. (This is separate from the true, Biblical Christmas that we as Christians should celebrate and rejoice in, and the true goodwill we should provide as evidence in our grafting into the Lord’s family.) Nevertheless, I praise the Lord and move forward in Faith, and you should, too!

Our expectation is things should fall into place in the order we want them to. Unfortunately, most of the time our plans do not – as that great theologian Mike Tyson once said, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” Our expectations often fall short to reality. The home project cannot start until the items are back in stock at the store, a cooperative effort fails in moving forward due to no cooperative participation from others. Adding up, many little issues that aren’t big deals by themselves become a collective, irksome irritant that gets under our skin.

Sometimes, it isn’t a bunch of little things but one big thing that discourage us. One big issue in any category, financial, health, family, personal relationships, even work; these can send us in a tailspin. Whenever our lives are upended by a big events such as these, especially when come upon us as a big unwelcomed surprise may overwhelm us. These things tax us physically, emotionally, and mentally. Getting these unwelcomed surprises are not what we want to happen.

We are human; we are impatient and we have also been conditioned through our lives for immediate gratification.  We expect things to be done the way we want it, in the manner that we choose, in the timing we expect.  In reality, especially with medical issues and today’s material issues, it typically will not go as we planned it.  We get discouraged and we wonder – did we go away from God’s plan, have we failed and caused God to step away, etc. So what does God say about handling discouragement?    

When we get discouraged, we must remember the Lord is still and always present; yet there are troubles that come that would seem overwhelming.  For Joshua, it would be the taking of the Promised Land and for the Apostles the trial and death of Jesus and their persecution.  People, including those who deeply believed, were going to be hurt or killed.  All that they known was about to change – and change quickly; for them it appeared they would be worse off with the change.  But both times God said, ‘I am with you, and I will always be with you.’  Even Jesus on the cross discussed discouragement while on the cross when he quoted Psalm 22:1, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” 

Was Jesus discouraged?  No!  Because He also knew the rest of Psalm 22, that though He would suffer not only death but humiliation and insult while on the cross, Father God would deliver Him, out of death and onto victory.  Jesus knew His Father would place Him upon the Throne of David forever, and crown Him the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords!    When God spoke to Joshua, He gave a message that Jesus repeated to both the Apostles and to the crowd at Golgotha; there is no reason to be discouraged when God is on your side.  God plus you is a majority; not only a majority but a position of supremacy over your troubles. 

Now does this mean there will be no mortal suffering?  No, as Jesus did not escape the pain of dying, and other Apostles suffered similar fates (Andrew crucified on an ‘X’, Peter crucified upside down, Stephen stoned, Paul and JTB (John The Baptist) beheaded, etc.).  We will also face disappointment and moments of discouragement, when it seems that all we believe should happen as we think it should happen, does not.  People will let you down, and even you will let you down. It happens. 

But know that when that happens, when you fall off your horse (or in Peter’s case when you deny your Lord 3 times), while you may have sinned in falling, it is also a sin not to have the Faith to get back up and trust the Lord that He is with you.  Remember, do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid or discouraged.  The Lord is and always will be with you!  He loves you, He forgives you, and He will be with you to give you the strength and courage to overcome!