Discouragement can occur at any moment. Just when you think your life is going just fine, a sense of discouragement comes crashing down on you. It leaves you bewildered. You cannot figure it out. Your life was going just fine. Out of the blue the rug is pulled out from underneath you.
Too often discouragement brings with it feelings of hopelessness and despair. It does not have to happen that way. When a discouraging event happens in your life you have a choice to make. You can become downtrodden or encouraged. It is all a matter of how you perceive that event in your life. An unknown author explains what I am talking about, as he wrote: “Success is often closest when discouragement is greatest.” As discouragement reaches a peak in your life soon afterwards success may well be on its heels.
Such an opportunity existed in the life of Israel in the Word of God. Israel has wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. They are reaching the Promised Land. The sons of Gad and of Reuben want to take the land just before entering the Promised Land. Moses tells them this: “Now why are you discouraging the sons of Israel from crossing over into the land which the Lord has given them?” (Numbers 32:7; NASV). Moses is discouraged that they would mention such a thing. They respond by telling Moses they want that land to make fortified cities for their wives and children and to protect their cattle. Then they will fight with all of Israel for them to get the Promised Land.
Just remember that in your life when discouragement reaches a peak a huge blessing may be around the corner. Christ often brings success right after discouragement!
