“I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, And a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me. I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel. For I have heard the slander of many: Fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, They devised to take away my life.”
Psalm 31:11-13 KJV,https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.31.11-13.KJV
God Gives Good Gifts
There are seasons in our lives that are far more discouraging than encouraging. It's inevitable that all of us will experience those moments, and it's often in the face of insurmountable grief or heartbreaking experiences.
But Romans 15:5 reminds us that there are three things God gives to those who believe in Jesus. The first is that God gives endurance. When we begin to grow tired of doing good things, or living our lives for God, it's often because we are living with the wrong motivation.
True motivation comes from living for God, not ourselves. It is God who gives us the endurance—through His Spirit—to make good choices and live for Him.
The second thing God gives us is encouragement. In seasons of discouragement, when we feel let down by other people, God gives us lasting encouragement. He reminds us that we are loved. That we are being transformed. That He can use all things for our good and His glory. We don’t need to strive for approval or acceptance because...