HOW TO STAY POSITIVE DURING DISCOURAGING TIMES

INTRODUCTION

1. Temptation tries to blind us to other possibilities
2. When we are discouraged it is hard to see many positive options.
3. A business man stopped to watch a little league game. He asked a little boy about the score. The boy said, “We’re behind 14 to nothing,” he answered with a smile. “Really,” he responded. “I have to say you don’t look very discouraged.” “DISCOURAGED?” the boy asked with a puzzled look on his face. “Why should we be discouraged? We haven’t been up to bat yet.”
4. Positive outlooks go a long way in dispelling discouragement Ó

For the most part we are way too negative

1. Many are too negative toward others
2. Many are too negative toward themselves
3. Many are too negative toward the circumstances they face
4. Many are too negative concerning the present state of the church, or local the congregation
5. Thus, many become discouraged in many or all of these areas… Ó

Discouragement is an emotion we all face from time to time.

1. The best way to overcome discouragement is to think positively.
2. Be proactive in your thinking and actions.
3. To be “proactive” is to control a situation by causing something to happen rather than waiting to respond to it after it happens
4. We can be as positive as we allow our selves to be
5. God does not want us to be discouraged… “be of good cheer…” (Mat.  14:27)

We need to be positive, think positive, and act positive.

1. But how can we cultivate a positive attitude?
2. The Bible gives us the answer…

DISCUSSION

We can be positive because we have the promises of God

1. God’s promise… Romans 8:28
2. All things work “together” for good … this is God’s promise!
3. For those who love the Lord
4. Remember John 14:15
5. Hebrews 10:23
6. God is faithful in His promises
7. We can “hold fast” – endure life’s difficulties so as to remain positive
8. 2 Peter 3:9
9. God is not slack concerning His promises
10. If it is promised by God IT WILL happen
11. Romans 4:19-22
12. We need to be like Abraham in his view of God’s promises
13. We need to be fully persuaded that God will keep His promises
14. Do not waver, but hold fast the promise of Romans 8:28 Ó

We can be positive because discouragements can be used as bridges

1. Philippians 1:12
2. Paul saw that the discouragements he faced were a bridge to greater things
3. The problem with many though is they use difficulties as stumbling blocks instead of bridges
4. Many put a negative twist on everything – Paul didn’t!
5. Hebrews 11:1, 6, 32-40
6. Faith is vital in using difficulties as bridges
7. Difficulties are a bridge that leads to something greater
8. Romans 15:4
9. Will we learn from the positive attitudes of great men and women from the Bible?
10. Will we emulate their ability to use difficulties as bridges?

We can be positive because discouragement is temporary

1. Psalms 30:5
2. God promises us deliverance from our difficulties
3. Comparatively speaking, difficulties are always short when compared with eternity
4. Philippians 3:8
5. Why was Paul able to do this?
6. He knew difficulties were temporary – and something much greater was awaiting him
7. John 14:1-6
8. Jesus encouraged His disciples by letting them know that something much greater was in store for them
9. This made their difficulties seem temporary

We can be positive because God has given us the ability to endure

1. 1 Corinthians 10:13
2. I’m afraid that many doubt this promise of God
3. God will not place on us more than we can endure
4. If you do not believe this you are weak in faith, because this is God’s promise
5. 2 Thessalonians 1:4
6. Enduring difficulties takes “patience” and “faith”
7. The first century Christians were able to endure (who endured much more that we) and so can we
8. Matthew 10:22
9. 1 Corinthians 13:7
10. 2 Timothy 2:10
11. Our enduring is not just for our sake, but for the sake of others
12. Our salvation and the salvation of others is at stake!
13. 2 Timothy 2:3
14. Paul says let’s do it together
15. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

We can be positive because we have access to the power of Prayer

1. Philippians 4:6
2. Pray!
3. Pray with thanksgiving!
4. James 5:16
5. See the power of the righteous in action
6. Understand what power our prayers can have if we are righteous
7. 1 John 5:14
8. The key to powerful prayer: Pray according to God’s will
9. God hears us when we pray according to His will

CONCLUSION

1. When life is view properly, there really is little room for discouragement in the heart of a child of God.
2. We can and must be positive in times of discouragement

Tom Moore
http://www.fromthepreacherspc.org
http://www.harrisandmoore.org
http://www.parkheightscoc.com