SERIES: The Book of James
TEXT: James 5:7-12
MESSAGE: “Overcoming Discouragement”

In June 2022 Lindsey Carlson wrote an article entitled — “When You Don’t Even Realize How Discouraged You Are”

“The truth is, most of us don’t like the look of discouragement. It feels embarrassing. Why? Because discouragement by definition–the lack of courage–is indeed a form of weakness. Rather than confess or confront it, we’re tempted to ignore or overlook and certainly to attempt to conceal it from others who might correct or condemn us. But when we avoid areas of our own insufficiency, we also avoid finding the help we so desperately need. Followers of Jesus are exhorted to confess our weakness in times of discouragement, in order that we might find God’s strength in the midst of our need. As Christians, we are a people of hope…When Christians face discouragement, we behave as though we are a people who have been deprived of the ability to hope or trust in God. When we fail to see the hope set before us, we need outside help.”  — Lindsey Carlson (Have you ever had anyone tell you; “You look rough!”)

“Hell begins with a grumbling mood, always complaining, always blaming others… but you are still distinct from it. You may even criticize it in yourself and wish you could stop it. But there may come a day when you can no longer. Then there will be no you left to criticize the mood or even to enjoy it, but just the grumble itself, going on forever like a machine. It is not a question of God “sending us” to hell. In each of us there is something growing, which will BE hell unless it is nipped in the bud. ” ― C.S. Lewis

Q: Are you discouraged?

TEXT: James 5:7-12

Q: What can we learn from today’s text about overcoming discouragement? We find three insights — (1. Patiently Wait 2. Constantly Refocus 3. Confidently Believe)

1. Patiently Wait (v. 7-8)

“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”

“We can forfeit the blessing of joyful hope, and replace it by fearful expectation…and it is the tongue through which this grim forfeiture takes place…The very circumstances which call for patience (7–8) beget impatience…” — Alec Motyer

2. Constantly Refocus (v. 9)

“Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.”

“…Pressed from outside by opponents…how easily tempers can fray and the fellowship begin to fall apart! How easy to begin to take it out on each other, to find cause for complaint within the family!” — Alec Motyer

“(Our) performance never gets the ultimate verdict. But in Christianity, the verdict can give you the performance. Yes, the verdict can give you the performance. How can that be?…Because Jesus Christ went on trial instead. Jesus went into the courtroom. He was on trial. It was an unjust trial in a kangaroo court-but He did not complain. Like the lamb before the shearers, He was silent. He was struck, beaten, put to death. Why? As our substitute. He took the condemnation we deserve; He faced the trial that should be ours so that we do not have to face any more trials. So I simply need to ask God to accept me because of what the Lord Jesus has done. Then, the only person whose opinion counts looks at me and He finds me more valuable than all the jewels in the earth.” — Timothy Keller

“For every look at self — take ten looks at Christ!” — Robert Murray McCheyne

“Obey God’s message! Don’t fool yourselves by just listening to it. 23 If you hear the message and don’t obey it, you are like people who stare at themselves in a mirror 24 and forget what they look like as soon as they leave.” — James 1:22-24

“Remember, the Judge is coming (v. 9), and we want to be found faithful with what we can control. Like a farmer trust that the harvest God brings in His time will be worth the wait.” — David Platt

3. Confidently Believe (v. 10-12)

“As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.”

“Suffering is not the sign that things have gone wrong, but they’ve gone normal…It is part of our arrogant, sinful nature to assume that we are the first generation ever truly to experience what we’re going through. James wants his readers to be very clear that what they are facing, while by no means easy, is certainly not new.” — Sam Allberry

TAKEAWAYS: How can we apply this to our lives? Remember…

• Control is an illusion

• An audience of One

• Words reflect our faith

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33