Discouragement, Chipmunks and Birds (2007) (Also in my blog)

The Distraction of Discouragement


I don’t know of a person who does NOT battle discouragement in one form or fashion. Some pretend that it does not exist. Some choose to deceive others by stating that everything is just fine.

I have yet to find a passage of scripture which reveals that one human being has not faced discouragement…ever.

Discouragement distracts us from the proper attitude of the heart

Discouragement detours us from Him Directing our paths

Discouragement dissatisfies us from the blessings God abundantly gives

Discouragement DISCOURAGES OTHERS...thereby creating a stumbling
Block to a weaker brother

Discouragement distances us from joy, peace, contentment, knowledge, separation, convictions, godliness, discernment

Scriptures to read about discouragement
I kings 19
I Sam 30
Jonah 4




there was a Bird in the bird feeder yesterday and it just could not get out. I saw it go in. It was getting some bird seed that was between the glass siding. About 30 minutes later i walked past the bird feeder and saw the little bird trying to get out. It kept beating its wings trying to get out of the feeder. I thought to myself, I can see your way of escape and yet you keep going the opposite way. Instantly my mind flashed back to last spring, when I saw a chipmunk struggling to keep its head afloat in one of the trash cans filled with water from the melting snow. For nearly 2 minutes that poor chipmunk struggled to keep his head out of water. Finally, it sank below the water line exausted from its struggle. Then, it resurfaced and again attempted to get out of the peril it was in. Finally, I decided to execute my mercy on the poor rodent. I tipped the trash can over to let the water out and most importantly the chipmunk. In so doing, I had to allow the water to overcome the chipmunk as it looked at me with panic. As the water gushed out I saw that the chipmunk was not alone. another chipmunk had died in tha****er sometime back and stunk something fierce.

I learned something from that experience. TREADING near the trash can day after day will one day cause you to fall to your doom. (spiritualize it for yourself)
I learned that what I do DOES affect others
I learned that if I want out...I may just have to be overwhelmed in the problem long enough for God to let me out.
I learned that God was sovereign and nothing happens to me that he did not plan.

**back to the bird feeder....the bird began to panic as I tipped the bird feeder on its side. It began to flutter back and forth and bang against the sides of the feeder. I thought to myself...YOU STUPID BIRD...JUST TRUST ME.
I AM TRYING TO TEACH YOU HOW TO GET OUT...I AM TRYING TO HELP YOU HERE....BE STILL...

Instantly a verse popped into my head..."Psalms 146:10....BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD" and then another.... "AND WE KNOW ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THEM THAT LOVE GOD...TO THEM WHO ARE THE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE..."

As I lifted the top of the bird feeder, I saw the bird fly out of that bird feeder and into the trees. then, I heard it chirping away. One final passage popped into my head and made me smile and rejoice...

Psalms 40:1-3..he brought me out of an horrible pit and set my feet upon a rock and established my goings...Many shall see it and fear....


PRAISE THE LORD! Whether frustrated at your ministry, whether troubled at your failures and insecurities, whether trapped in a dangerous perilous mistake and cant get out, or whether you got stuck getting too much of a good thing....GOD KNOWS where you are and God knows what you need and God KNOWS just how long to leave you.

TIM
Thanks for sharing!