The Real Jiyong

Chapter 15: Don't Be Discouraged

"Paul never minimized the pain of the temporal, yet discouragement didn’t win because he knew that God’s purposes were at work."
(See Philippians 1:12–14 for another example).

5. "Press close into God
The truth is life is hard, people do disappoint and hurt us, and we don’t always understand God or his ways. The prophet Nahum talks about a day of trouble and reminds us “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, he knows those who trust in him” (Nahum 1:7). If we’re not in close trusting relationship with God, life’s troubles can become unbearable. The psalmist cried out, “I would have despaired unless I had believed I would see God in the land of the living” (Psalm 27)."

 
"One final tip, the best way to chase out a negative feeling is with another feeling. The Bible teaches us “In everything give thanks for this is the will of God” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Gratitude is a powerful anecdote for discouragement. We may not be able to give God thanks for the difficult situation that we find ourselves in, but we can learn to look for things we can be thankful for in the midst of it."
(Leslie Vernick, 2018)

“Over all seek God’s word to give you strength when you feel down it may seem impossible at first but even if you start of small focus on all the good things that God has done for you in the mist of your struggle.”
Leslie added as last note before leaving the stage as Pastor Mark walked back onto the stage.

I was completely shocked, I never thought that Christians had these type of feelings and thoughts too, but more than anything God seemed to help each person who was struggling even though things were not changing immediately in their situation, all these guys Leslie had mentioned had found peace in the mist of their pain. Could the same happen with me?

Would God really be able to give me that kind of peace? I wasn’t religious and I didn’t attend church regularly but more than anything this peace that these men experienced is something I wanted to experience for myself. I focused as Pastor Mark began to speak.

“Can we all just give Leslie a wonderful round of applause for sharing such a beautiful message with us this morning?”
The people applauded as did I and he continued to speak again.

“Many of you may have been feeling discouraged for days, some week, others months or even years. And for the longest time you have battled trying to find ways to make peace but you were unsure of what exactly was wrong. I want to make a call to those of you here today for the first time and you haven’t asked the Lord Jesus to come into your heart and be a part of your life, to come forward so that I can pray with you and you can receive Jesus as the Lord of your life and also so that He can help you get rid of the discouragement that has been plaguing you for so long. If you’re not comfortable coming to the front just raise your hand and when I say this prayer out aloud after me.”

I watched as other bravely walked to the front and bite my lip. Should I go? Should I remain sting? I sighed and closed my eyes slowly raising my hand in the air; I had no idea if this was going to work. I didn’t even know if half the stuff this lady spoke about was true but the fact was I willing to try anything and I heard Pastor Mark thank me for raising my hand.

“I would like you to repeat this prayer after me say it out aloud so that I can hear you and so that you can hear yourself. O Lord God, I believe with all my heart in Jesus Christ, Son of the living God. I believe He died for me and God raised Him from the dead. I believe He’s alive today. I confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord of my life from this day. Through Him and in His Name, I have eternal life: I’m born again. Thank you Lord, for saving my soul! I’m now a child of God. Amen”

I followed Pastor Mark in the prayer word for word as he spoke and opened my eyes once it was over as the people started applauding for all of us who had just said the prayer. The ones in front where shaking hands with Pastor Mark and the people near Hyung and me smiled and clapped for me as I shyly nodded my head and bowed grateful for the applause. This applause was odd because it wasn’t like I had performed a song I just followed the preacher as he lead a prayer. But getting this type appreciation was different but I liked it in a way.

As I raised my head to look forward watching the other people who were standing in the front also get congratulated I noticed a few where going to the left and speaking with a lady it seemed, but it wasn’t Miss Leslie it was with someone else. I watched the lady speaking with the few people that where directed to her and was surprised as she turned around. It was none other than Miss Parks! This was her church I quickly turned to Hyung and asked.

“Hyung, how did you find out about this church?”

“Well, I emailed Miss Park about a nearby church that I could attend and take you with since you had grown a bit curious.”
He explained to me.

“So, you knew that this was the church that Miss Park went to?”
I said sounding pleasantly surprised.

“Yes, I did. And what did you think about the service?”
He asked me smiling warmly.

“I did, I think I’ve learned a lot but not exactly sure how to put what I heard to work yet.”
I explain.

Hyung nodded and we continued to talk for a bit after finishing my chat with Hyung I looked to the front to find Miss Park looking at me, she smiled once she recognized me. I smiled in return and bowed my head acknowledging her and she did the same before walking to speak with the Pastor.