Properly Handling Discouragement
Psalm 126:5-6

Paul J. Bucknell

Part 1 | Part 2

(For study questions, get the Old Testament Digital Library.)

Life can be difficult.

The worst part of bad times comes when we lose confidence when we were walking the right path. Yes, sometimes we have not been making the right decisions and their consequences catch up with us. That is when we need to repent and seek the Lord. He will be gracious. That discussion is another message (Ez 33:11-16). In this topic we focus on persevering in doing good even when we feel like it is doing no good and we want to give up (Ez 33:17-18).

When confident, we just plod on ahead pushing aside each difficulty we face. We know what the right thing to do and we just do it. But this confidence is not always so apparent!

Do we not face obstacles? Oh, yes! Child rearing. Facing each day’s work. Enduring an illness. Listening to your spouse complain again. Hearing the same speech from your parent. Rejection from friends.

Even in ministry in the midst of a busy ministry where we are helping and encouraging others, whether it be pastor or lay person, we can feel burnt out. When confused and overwhelmed we ask the big question, “Is it worth it all?”

The answer is an unquestionable, “Yes!” The reason is easy–the good thing is always the right thing to do. Rules, habits and commands–no matter how routine and trivial–are there to guide us when we lose vision.

The answer is an unquestionable, “Yes!”

A line is made from more than one point. If we only analyze where we are at any one point, we do not focus on the direction of our lives but our feelings, and those moods, awful thoughts, etc., can be treacherous even if they are hormone engendered.

On the other hand, if we examine all of our life’s decision, we trace where we have come from and where the Lord is leading. We have made commitments to caring and helping people. That teen, though insolent, is there because of your commitment to God, the marriage and your children.

While some decisions might not have been the best, and you might still be reaping those consequences, you generally have made many right decisions and done many good things with good intentions over time only you are not gaining the expected support or encouragement at this point in time. This is no time to be consider about your direction of life.

For example, if you can’t find a job, don’t in discouragement lose your sense of love for God or give up on your firm grip onto moral living. Persevere. Having trouble with a difficult boss? Don’t just let your feelings flow uncontrolled. You want your life to continue to do the right and good thing even in difficult circumstances. Persevere in doing good (Rom 2:7).

Psalm 126:5-6

Psalm 126 provides rich insight and guidance on how to face discouragement and the sense of despair that leads us sometimes to do rash and insensible things, bringing much trouble into our lives and those around us.

God’s Word can bring special encouragement when we lose faith in the good that we have been doing.

5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. 6 He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. (Psalms 126:1-6, NASB).

Little Seed, Lots of Hard Work

Oftentimes we are just trying to find a little hope to encourage us to remain on the same right path. The seed that is sown in the above verses speaks about all the hard work that one has done. The farmer has bent over all day and carefully put each seed in the ground. That is the weeping–the aches, pains, and sores. All of the hard work.

Recently on Facebook a family celebrated the eight years since they had adopted their little girl named Esther. I am sure there have been tough times since–just like in any family, but the good seeds of adoption were sown and watered (change diapers, teach how to write the alphabet, train to use potty, spent money for education) though no doubt with tears at times.

The same is true with: the degrees we work hard for, jobs we do our best at even when others are not watching, a mom who doesn’t sleep when listening to her sick child have difficulty breathing, and so the list goes on.

The seed stands for all those good decisions in our past that form our life’s path of doing God’s will. We make those decisions because we want good to come from them. When we get confused and discouraged, however, we are tempted to suddenly act in a void as if all the past commitments made were in vain. If not careful, we will end up making decisions inconsistent with what we have been doing and regret our actions.

Our lives are composed of a lot of good commitments followed by consistent good deeds, often requiring hard labor.

(For study questions, get the Old Testament Digital Library.)

>> Part 2: Properly Handling Discouragement - Psalm 126:5-6

Biblical Foundations for Freedom ( BFF )

Rev. Paul J. Bucknell