Recent newscasts show the growing tragedy of the geysers of oil spewing into the Gulf of Mexico. Perhaps the scene that breaks my heart the most is the wildlife struggling to survive, drenched in thick brown muck.
Some float and most barely walk, no, they weakly stagger, under the weight of the heavy oil. The only signs of life we can see is their desperate eyes pleading for help. They know they cannot save themselves. They seek hope.
The cleaning process for these exhausted birds begins with covering them in Canola oil, followed by a thorough bath in dishwashing detergent and water. Volunteers spend at least one full painstaking hour of scrubbing, rubbing, and rinsing to get each bird clean.
I thought of these pelicans this past weekend when discouragement overwhelmed my heart. I dragged with a heaviness of spirit, weighted down in the messy muck of this favorite tool of the devil. The evil one knows too well my Achilles heel and attacks me, especially when I am tired.
What is the cleaning process for discouragement?
Just like outside hands comfort the frightened pelican, gently clean their feathers and nourish them with food and water, God’s hands will protect and sooth my frazzled desperation. I draw strength from His presence and healing oil knowing I am His child. I snuggle into His arms in prayer and rest, knowing He will and has already saved me.
I lay my hopes and desires in His will, not my unrealistic expectations, which often are the cause of the discouragement. He alone is perfect; I am not. God is my hope.
I have learned, like the unplugged geyser in the Gulf, discouragement easily gushes with negativity. I can focus on that or I can choose God. I wish I could say I immediately turn to God but often let self pity overpower me for a time before, exhausted, I stagger weakly into my Healer’s hands. We can’t always avoid discouragement but we can, once we recognize it, ask for God’s help in walking away from its shackles.
Psalm 61:1-2 tells us “Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, ‘O God, forgive me,’ or ‘Help me.’
How do you rise above discouragement?
The photos are so heartbreaking. Your post is a timely reminder of how much God loves us.
Yes God will always make something good out of our messes. Thanks for that reminder. and I agree with you about the sleep issue. Makes me vulnerable everytime
Seeing the photos in the media of the wildlife covered with oil is certainly heartbreaking. At times like this, I hang on to the words of the wise man who led my prayer group many years ago. He always said no matter how awful circumstances seem to us, God can always bring blessings out of it. We will pray for blessings (and that someone can contain the oil quickly).
I find that being sleep deprived correlates to how discouraged I get…so I must be sure to get enough sleep. It’s quite a challenge on the days I have to get up very early for work!
You all have some great thoughts and suggestions about discouragement. It is all about God and all begins and end with Him. I just have learned that this is a real area the devil trips me up every time. Knowing my weakness helps me lean on God’s strength even more. Thanks for all the good comments!
Hi, I popped over from Tweet Me Tuesday and enjoyed your devotional. Such a sad little birdy but with such a great analogy!
One of the the ways God encourages me is through praise and worship music. I have a couple of iTunes playlists I’ve made that I call Happy Praise and Worship Songs. The peppy tunes, combined with the inspirational Bible verses and lyrics, all work together to take me from the depths of despair back up to fixing my eyes on Jesus.
So feeling this one…so feeling this one. I’m thankful that he can make beauty from ashes (or muck) aren’t you?
http://web.me.com/melissafed
Jeanie, I think the big thing is to recognize discouragement, like you said. Then seek help from the Lord/others/activity. My heart breaks for the coastlands. As bad as that bird is, families with children feel this sorrow with lack of work, and maybe for years….that is all some of them know. God bless them.
I rise above discouragement through prayer and Bible study. I enjoyed your post. The picture is a sad truth. Doylene
It’s so easy to let discouraging thoughts just ooze everywhere…but it’s oh so important to ‘cap them off’ ‘nip them in the bud’…whatever your saying! I have hard bouts with discouragement but the one thing that always prevails is God. I have to remember in those times to pray earnestly and to stop looking into the negative; it only breeds negativity. I’ve also started keeping positive e-mails in a file and positive sayings, etc. on my refrigerator!
Tweeting it out for Tweet Me Tuesday!!