What can we learn from God’s Word about discouragement and distraction?

Omgoodness…Will my children ever go back to school??

It feels like another round of discouragement and distraction.  I feel frustrated and bullied.  One big perpetual uggh!!!

This topic was not on my summer “yes” agenda but it is a topic I’m struggling to overcome. A reoccurring theme of discouragement and distraction.  Frustration with where I am versus where I want to be.

I woke up thinking about Paul when he listed his trials and sufferings.  Five times he had received from the Jews forty lashes minus one.  He had been beaten with rods, pelted with stones, shipwrecked three times, constantly on the move, been in danger from rivers, bandits, fellow Jews and Gentiles.  He had labored and toiled, gone without sleep and food, been cold and naked. (2 Corn. 11:24-27) He knew suffering.

In Acts 20, Paul said he was compelled by the Holy Spirit to go to Jerusalem, but also warned by the same Spirit that prison and hardship awaited him.  He knew suffering was ahead but chose it anyway.

Verse 24 is a verse of revelation.  However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me–the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. 

I believe every lash, rod, shipwreck; day of danger, hunger, thirst or imprisonment; was meant to discourage or distract Paul from completing the task the Lord Jesus had given him.  Each trial  was an attempt by the enemy to stop Paul from fulfilling his mission.  Paul felt called to go but every time he tried to go he experienced pushback.

God did not prevent or stop the suffering.  Paul was beaten.  He was shipwrecked.  He was imprisoned.  But God made a way in each trial for Paul to accomplish God’s will.  While shipwrecked on the island of Malta, Paul healed many.  Paul’s detour allowed him to minister the gospel to those who had never heard.  Each court trial allowed Paul the opportunity to present the gospel to some of the most powerful men in the world.  And prison provided Paul with the opportunity to write much of the New Testament.  It gave Paul the time to write and the necessary impetus for the letters.

Some days I feel a little like Paul shipwrecked on Malta.  I’m not where I’m supposed to be.  So, maybe I should act like Paul on Malta.  I should minister to those around me and offer healing.  I’m not exactly sure how to do that so I’ll just say what Paul said and do what Paul did.  I’ll keep pointing to Jesus. The same will be true on the days I feel like I’ve been put on trial.   I’ll keep pointing to Jesus.  And during these days of house arrest, I’ll write about Jesus.

I’m going to use discouragement and distraction to lead me to yes. Yes to testifying to the good news of God’s grace no matter where I am and what I’m doing.