Don't Succumb to Environmental Discouragement

Topic: Don't Succumb to Environmental Discouragement

Bible Reading: Daniel 3:1-6

What happens around ones environment is another thing that brings discouragement to the people. The actions and reactions of people have caused many to lose hope in God. Instead of been encouraged and motivated in positive ways, the reverse is the case.

Sometimes, people get discouraged when others around them get flourished. The Psalmist says: “But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men” Psalms 73:2-6

Nehemiah responded to this discouragement and resistance by getting the people to be intentional about doing something to get them off their negativity. He gave them a common goal and backs it up with the word of encouragement. He did something constructive by setting new plans in place to deal with his enemies. So, when discouragement comes, don’t wallow in it. Rather, do something constructive and productive, never abandon your vision.

The government policies introduced where you residing can make you discourage. For instance, during the reigned of king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, he instituted a policy whereby all people should worship and bow down for his golden image that he built. He did this in order to discourage non-indigence from worship and serving their God. Daniel and his friends are among the Jews that lived in Babylon during this period. The Bible said:

“Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.” Daniel 3:4-6.

In the commencement of worshiping the image and gods of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, Daniel and friends did not obey the commandment of the king because it is against the doctrine of their God. In the process, the accusation was lay against them and king order them to come and defend themselves.

“Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live forever. Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image: And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Then they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?” Daniel 3:7-15.

King Nebuchadnezzar was not hesitate to discouraged the Jews from worship their God, but the Jews brother did not allowed his words or the consequence set aside for them to discourage them. Moreover, they encouraged themselves in the Lord God they served.

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” Daniel 3:16-18

The environment and the government police instituted are to discourage the people, but the children of God by then did not yield to such discouragement appetite. Many so-called believers of today had been fallen to policy of evil instituted by the government of their time. They were highly discouraged and motivated because of the fear created in them. At the same time, several believers accepted such policy because of their selfish and greediness. They thought that, they can die in hunger if they fail to obey such. They forget that, the God Almighty they served is ready to deliver them and provide for all their needs at anytime.

Dear friends, as God delivered Daniel and his friends from the burning firer furnace of the king, so also He will deliver everyone that do not yield to the discouragement policies that the government where they residing instituted.

Certainly, let it be known to you that discouragement will come your way, so be prepared for it. When it comes, act upon your predetermined plan.

Don’t be afraid. I am with you. Don’t tremble with fear. I am your God. I will make you strong, as I protect you with my arm and give you victories. (Isaiah 41:11)

Beloved, encourage yourself in the Lord as David did. Augment your faith, because faith fueled courage. Don’t let discouragement suffocate you. God promises are far better than man’s words of encouragement. It’s dislodged by believing promises. God gave us the Bible so that “through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4). It says amazing things like: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword, or discouragement? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:35, 37)

Don’t let your heart be ruled by what you see. Let it be ruled by what Jesus promises you. Don’t let your heart be discouraged by what the people says or the actions they take against you, but let it be encourage by the promises of Jesus Christ stated in the Scriptures.

PRAYER BOMBS FOR TODAY

1. In the name of Jesus, I refuse to be discourage by environment discouragers in the name of Jesus

2. I bind the spirit of environmental discouragement in my life and marriage, in the name of Jesus.

3. I break every evil environmental covenant that has brought discourage into my life, in the name of Jesus.

4. I command every environment terror of the night that has brought discourage into my life to stop and move from my environment, in the name of Jesus.

5. You spirit of environment that cause fear and discouragement, loose your hold upon my life and my family, in the name of Jesus.

6. I command all human agents around my house, place of work, business, school or ministry using the spirits of fear and discouragement to terrify me in the night to stumble and fall by fire, in the name of Jesus.

7. The fear and terror of the unbelievers and the wicked people residing in my environment shall not be my lot, in the name of Jesus.

8. My tomorrow is blessed in Christ Jesus, therefore, you environmental spirit that is responsible for the fear and discourage of tomorrow in my life, I bind you, in the name of Jesus.

9. My destiny is attached to God, therefore I decree that I can never fail and be discouraged by my environment or any agents working in my environment, in the name of Jesus.

10. Every environmental bondage that I am subjecting myself to by the spirit of discouragement I break you, in the name of Jesus.

11, Every connection from the pity of hell that connected with my environment in order to hinder me from success and breakthrough, you are a liar, scatter by thunder of God in Jesus name