DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT – THURSDAY THOUGHTS #23… DISCOURAGEMENT.
Former heavy-weight boxer James (Quick) Tillis is a cowboy from Oklahoma who fought out of Chicago in the early 1980s. He still remembers his first day in the Windy City after his arrival from Tulsa. "I got off the bus with two cardboard suitcases under by arms in downtown Chicago and stopped in front of the Sears Tower. I put my suitcases down, and I looked up at the Tower and I said to myself, 'I'm going to conquer Chicago.' "When I looked down, the suitcases were gone." - Today in the Word.
The American painter, John Sargent, once painted a panel of roses that was highly praised by critics. It was a small picture, but it approached perfection. Although offered a high price for it on many occasions, Sargent refused to sell it. He considered it his best work and was very proud of it. Whenever he was deeply discouraged and doubtful of his abilities as an artist, he would look at it and remind himself, "I painted that." Then his confidence and ability would come back to him. - Bits & Pieces.
In the American War of Independence a critical battle took place near Saratoga, New York. Just before the battle took place one of the American soldiers, frightened by the sight of the British redcoats, tried to talk his comrades into surrendering or escaping with him. Luckily an office happened to come by and hear him. The man was arrested, immediately courtmartialed, and executed on the spot because he spoke disheartening words to the soldiers in the critical hour. He easily could have lost the entire war for the Americans. – Source unknown.
Steve Brown related the story of a British soldier in the First World War who lost heart for the battle and deserted. Trying to reach the coast for a boat to England that night, he ended up wandering in the pitch black night, hopelessly lost. In the darkness he came across what he thought was a signpost. It was so dark that he began to climb the post so that he could read it.
As he reached the top of the pole, he struck a match to see and found himself looking squarely into the face of Jesus Christ. He realized that, rather than running into a signpost, he had climbed a roadside crucifix. Brown explained, "Then he remembered the One who had died for him -- who had endured -- who had never turned back. The next morning the soldier was back in the trenches. "
The American painter, John Sargent, once painted a panel of roses that was highly praised by critics. It was a small picture, but it approached perfection. Although offered a high price for it on many occasions, Sargent refused to sell it. He considered it his best work and was very proud of it. Whenever he was deeply discouraged and doubtful of his abilities as an artist, he would look at it and remind himself, "I painted that." Then his confidence and ability would come back to him. - Bits & Pieces.
In the American War of Independence a critical battle took place near Saratoga, New York. Just before the battle took place one of the American soldiers, frightened by the sight of the British redcoats, tried to talk his comrades into surrendering or escaping with him. Luckily an office happened to come by and hear him. The man was arrested, immediately courtmartialed, and executed on the spot because he spoke disheartening words to the soldiers in the critical hour. He easily could have lost the entire war for the Americans. – Source unknown.
Steve Brown related the story of a British soldier in the First World War who lost heart for the battle and deserted. Trying to reach the coast for a boat to England that night, he ended up wandering in the pitch black night, hopelessly lost. In the darkness he came across what he thought was a signpost. It was so dark that he began to climb the post so that he could read it.
As he reached the top of the pole, he struck a match to see and found himself looking squarely into the face of Jesus Christ. He realized that, rather than running into a signpost, he had climbed a roadside crucifix. Brown explained, "Then he remembered the One who had died for him -- who had endured -- who had never turned back. The next morning the soldier was back in the trenches. "
As a runner, when you are tired, afraid and discouraged, the best way I know to get your second wind is to strike a match in the darkness and to look on the face of Jesus Christ. – Source unknown.Discouragement is dissatisfaction with the past, distaste for the present, and distrust of the future. It is ingratitude for the blessings of yesterday, indifference to the opportunities of today, and insecurity regarding strength for tomorrow. It is unawareness of the presence of beauty, unconcern for the needs of our fellowman, and unbelief in the promises of old. It is impatience with time, immaturity of thought, and impoliteness to God. William Ward. - Today in the Word.
Loving Heavenly Father, I thank you for my life in Jesus Christ; Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, not to take discouragement on board, but to determine myself to be an encourager. For your glory and for the extension of your Kingdom, in Jesus wonderful and mighty name I pray, amen!
Be encouraged!
GBYAY
GBYAY
Labels: Daily Encouragement, Discouragement, Thursday thoughts.
posted by John @ 12:05 AM
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