category: discouragement

browsing >> discouragement

avoiding the pit

Posted by an odj community member on February 2nd, 2012 | no responses

1 Peter 4:12-14: Don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in His suffering, so that... read more »

you choose Q: “why does God allow the wicked to do so well?”

Posted by an odj community member on January 19th, 2012 | 2 responses

Q: Why does God allow the wicked to do so well, while good people suffer? —Mike A: An ancient writer asked the same question: “Behold, these are the ungodly, who are always at ease; they increase in riches. Surely I... read more »

persevering through disappointment

Posted by an odj community member on January 19th, 2012 | no responses

Something hurt me recently . . . My initial reaction was to experience disappointment, deep disappointment, dejection, rejection—you get the picture, and I asked God to protect my heart and to not let it discourage me. And... read more »

you choose Q: “how do I deal with a manipulative person?”

Posted by an odj community member on January 18th, 2012 | no responses

Q: How can I practically deal with a person who continually manipulates the situation? I know God is directing my path but it is very frustrating to be receiving continuous verbal assaults from him whenever I try to work... read more »

questions

Posted by tim gustafson on January 12th, 2012 | 3 responses

A recent televised interview captured my attention. The author of a controversial book kept responding to questions by saying, “That’s a great question.” And then he would orbit that “great question” without ever... read more »

writer’s block

Posted by jennifer benson schuldt on December 17th, 2011 | 3 responses

Writer’s block will wear you out. During a recent bout with it, everything I wrote ended with the electronic equivalent of throwing a crumpled sheet of paper into the ol’ “circular file” (trash can). Any hint of an... read more »

forget the devil?

Posted by marvin williams on November 18th, 2011 | 3 responses

Martyn Lloyd-Jones once said: “I am certain that one of the main causes of the ill state of the church today is the fact that the devil is being forgotten. We have become so psychological in our attitude and thinking. We... read more »

why do we burn out?

Posted by an odj community member on November 14th, 2011 | 2 responses

Burned out? Exhausted? Needing work breaks more and more often? Perhaps these are signs that you really needed a sabbatical, or a getaway. More so, it’s a gentle prompting that true ministry begins with true receiving. I... read more »

silencing the accuser’s voice

Posted by an odj community member on November 10th, 2011 | one response

John 8:7-11: They kept demanding an answer, so [Jesus] stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then He stooped down again and wrote in the dust. When the accusers... read more »

unhappy with God

Posted by an odj community member on November 9th, 2011 | 2 responses

Ephesians 4:17-19: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts... read more »