Transforming the hearts of man…

Fighting for the Heart of the Few...

Antidote for a Discouraged Heart

I apologize for allowing such a span of time to pass between writings.  Life is busy!  But God is good and still drawing young men to PureHeart.  Thank you for your faithful prayers.

Our last note was titled A Discouraged Heart.  This week I want to share with you some thoughts on curing a discouraged heart.

Our objective is to counter discouragement.  Recall with me, the Lexicon Results for macac, the Hebrew word for discourage: to melt, waste away, vanish, drop off, grow fearful or to cause to melt.  Our hearts can melt, waste away, vanish, drop off, grow fearful or be caused to melt.

To counter a discouraged heart one must encourage the heart.  

According to the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, courage is defined as the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.

The Greek prefix en means in, among, within.

Combining the two we arrive at the meaning of encourage; to put courage in the heart, soul and spirit of a person.

What can we learn about inputting courage, spirit, confidence, approval into the heart of ourselves and those we are called to rub elbows with in our daily activities and Christian walk?  

Let us return to Scripture, to the place the word encourage is first mentioned.  The word encourage is first found in the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy, chapter 1 verse 38.  The Hebrew word for encourage is chazaq, which means to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute.  We need to be strengthening one another’s hearts.  

Who Needs Encouragement?
Everyone needs encouragement regardless of their title, social class or age.  I pity the soul who pridefully pursues life without it.  

Scripture specifically instructs us as believers to encourage one another.

1 Thessalonians  5:11 NIV
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Hebrews 3:13 NIV
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
(Notice the benefit of being an encourager!)

Hebrews 10:25 NIV
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

How do we encourage one another?
Individuals are encouraged in a number of ways.  Some find courage in a positive word.  Some are encouraged in acts of help while others are encouraged by words.  

Returning to 1 Thessalonians 5, let us continue and learn how to encourage.
Vs. 14 instructs us to encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
Vs. 15 make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
Vs. 16 be joyful always;
Vs. 17 pray continually;
Vs. 18 give thanks in all circumstances,
Vs. 22 avoid every kind of evil.
Vs. 25 pray for one another

That is a pretty good list for starters.  

Let’s face it, although we as believers are all called to be encouragers, few are.  If you are blessed to have one or two encourages in your life, praise God for them.  And start encouraging others.  Start looking for opportunities.  Start opening your eyes and look for those around you that need to be encouraged.  They are everywhere.  Begin with the end in mind.  Start being an encourager!  

Join me praising God and praying for the following:

1.  Today is See You at the Pole.  Pray for this event that is student lead.  Pray that it will continue to spread.
2.  Praise God for the watchman and women of PureHeart Ministries.  You prayers are felt and greatly appreciated.
3.  Praise God for His guidance and direction.  God has PHM in His hand.
4.  Continue to pray for Brad, Ryan and me.  Pray for our board of directors and advisors.  
5.  Continue to pray for FWC and OWU.  
6.  Pray for the guys that meet with us.  Pray for our words that we speak to them, may they be firm when needed, loving when appropriate and encouraging.  Above all, may they be truth from God.
7.  Continue to pray for our families, our wives and children.  

Sharing from the Heart,

Steve