Wed. 2.4.15...Being a Godly MENTOR...Encourage part 3

Life is hard at times. That's why being a godly MENTOR involves E = Encouraging others. As we seek to help someone who is discouraged, it’s important to first ask, why are they so down. Sometimes you may get far more than you expected. I counseled a man (not from M3) on the phone recently who began playing a long song of the blues – it was more like his lifelong record collection. At one point I paused his discouraging songs and gave him the following assignment- Every time a discouraging thought comes to mind, write it down (expose the lie), then write down what you believe God would say to encourage you (replace the lie with the truth- be transformed by the renewing of your mind.) Fortunately, he liked that idea, so he ended the blues-fest. It will work wonders for him if he will do the work.

In dealing with discouragement in our own lives or with others, we are going to find help in a psalm today. Oftentimes people think of the Psalms as a book of praise songs. It is. It was Israel’s song book. But of the 150 songs, many are laments- sad songs, not happy, praise songs. I'm glad, because it gives us a realistic view of life and our human emotions. Fortunately, for every emotion, from storm to calm, there is a psalm. We do get down and discouraged. The Christian life contains tough times and sorrowful situations. Paul, who exhorted us to rejoice in the Lord always, also at times was sorrowful and downcast. I’m thankful he didn’t wear a mask, pretending to always be happy, happy, happy. He openly shared, “We were under great pressure, for beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.” 2 Cor.1:8. Wow! Now let’s meet another honest man. Read Psalm 42. You’ll see how he struggled with deep discouragement and you’ll also discover the proper prescription he gave himself to get out of the pits.

Psalm 42:5 asks the question we could use with a discouraged person-“Why are you in despair…? Just be prepared for perhaps a long blues song. People will tell you about lousy things that have happened to them. But it’s not what happens to you, it’s what happens in you (how you interpret it) that matters. Two married men, who are sole providers for their families of 5, both get let go from the same company. One interprets this as evidence God is against him and thus despairs. The other man has faith that God is still for him and will somehow see him through. Help people look at circumstances from a true view of God and life. As we’ve said, they will be transformed by the renewing of their minds.

1.-The psalmist mentions several things that have him singing the blues. Pick out one and mention it.

2.-The psalmist not only asks himself what’s got him down, he also writes himself a prescription for his downcast state (42:5). As a matter of fact, like the repeated chorus in a song, he repeats his prescription for encouragement at the end of the song. (And in the sequel psalm, Psalm 43, he also ends it with the same chorus.)  Write his prescription down on your MP3 card- “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Ps.42:11b. After writing it out, do the Did it.

That man knew he needed to put his hope in God and praise him. I shared with you the other day, an old favorite song that helped me battle against the demon of discouragement- "Praise the Lord." If you have a song that lifts you up when down, please feel free to share it with us.  

How 'bout lifting up the soul of a brother with an encouraging word? Bless the brother with such who last posted above your comments today. Thanks!

3.-R?

4.-A?

I appreciate those of you who opened up a couple of days ago and shared a bit of your battles against the demon of discouragement. There are two leadership approaches when it comes to sharing such. One approach is to hide one's struggles so that followers will really look up to you. The other approach is to lead with a limp. Paul took that approach, letting others know how down he got at times (2 Cor.1:8-11). (This is the approach that I take as well. If anyone thinks less of me for it, so be it.) We all struggle, so let's be open about it. Even Jesus was greatly distraught in the garden of Gethsemane- "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death." Mark 14:34. We need to honestly share at those times as Jesus did. And we need to help others when they are "going through it" with our care, prayers and encouragement.

By the way, after reading your posts of encouragement to each other yesterday, I said out loud, "Where could you go to get so much great encouragement?!" I'm so glad to be in M3 with you. 

Announcements
I look forward to rolling out some great new things Sunday. See you by 3:00 at Jack's 10749 Cherrywood Dr. Palos Park. 

	1 Tim.4:15	G=God's Word	Right Wrongs	E	A= Attack Prayers	T	(Men Recruited)
		For Mon.2.2.15
	Alpha Force
	Fire Team 1
1	Jack Rogers U.1	Y		GDP done	A		Daniel & Roger
2	Daniel Contreras U.1	Y		GDP done	A		Vince & Antonio
3	Vince Diaz	Y		GDP done	A
4	Roger Vinlasaca U.1	Y		GDP done	A
	Fire Team 2
1	Israel Fuentes U.1	Y		GDP done	A
2	Sam Vargas U.1	Y		GDP done	A		Robert
3	Robert Roman	Y		GDP done	A
4	Antonio Palomar	Y	R (Our Respect)	GDP done	A
	Delta Force
	Fire Team 3
1	Alvin James U.1	Y			A
2	Dave Heidekruger U.1	Y		GDP done	A
3	Mike Pagan U.1	Y		GDP done	A		George
4	George Rabiela	Y	R (Our Respect)	GDP done	A
	Fire Team 4
1	Eddie Morales U.1	Y	R (Our Respect)	GDP done	A		Gary, Ismael, Kentrayle
2	Gary Remson U.1	Y		GDP done	A
3	Ismael Andrade U.1	Y	R (Our Respect)	GDP done	A
4	Kentrayle Adams	Y	R (Our Respect)	GDP done	A