BATTLING THE BAD DAY BLUES by Eddie Lawrence (You can add your own insights to the outline below and if you like you can listen to this message as I preached it here and find a lot more info on this particular subject.) Here is a passage where we see that Paul himself battled the bad day blues…. TEXT: 2 Corinthians 7:5 For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. 6 Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more. Note among other things Paul describes himself as someone who was downcast that God brought encouragement to. Ever been there? Let’s look first at some stress factors that pressured Paul into a place of battling the bad day blues. STRESS FACTORS Here we see some things going on in and around Paul’s life that caused him to share that he had been downcast: 1. Times of Transition 2 Corinthians 7:5 For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. -Paul was once again on the move. It is often during times of transition when we face battles with discouragement and the bad day blues. The certainty of change is its uncertainty. The enemy knows this and will time his attacks accordingly. -Are you facing a lot of changes right now, realize how important it is to keep yourself anchored and encouraged in the Lord. 2. Times of Tiredness 2 Corinthians 7:5 For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. -If you look at a map of Paul’s travels and realize that this took place in the days when you used sandal power you can understand how the man was very tired. -What about you? Are you resting and taking care of yourself as you should? 3. Times of Trouble 2 Corinthians 7:5 For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. -Paul was leaving a pack of trouble in Ephesus and heading into more up the road. Every place he went the warfare was real, people were after him, and even the believers were fussing and feuding and turning from him. You know, even revival can be very draining! 4. Times of Turmoil 2 Corinthians 7:5 For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. -Even the mighty Apostle Paul here confesses that within his own life were fears he had to battle. This is good to know. The presence of fear is not the problem, it is allowing it to paralyze you into leaving God out that is the problem. -Fear is a nemesis to every believer. We have to be remember God’s perfect love that fills our hearts and the power and sound mind he gives us. These are the areas that fear attack. Am I loved? Am I powerless? Am I thinking clearly? (2 Tim. 1:6) KEYS TO BREAK OUT Now the following verses tell us how God moved to keep Paul from caving in to these bad day blues: 1. God’s Heart to Comfort 2 Corinthians 7:6 Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more. -It cannot be overstated how important it is to know God’s heart to comfort and help you when you are struggling to keep your heart and emotions and faith in the right place. The devil wants to convince you that God is frustrated with you for even being in the battle. So anchor down that God desires to comfort. He addresses this earlier at the very beginning of the letter in 2 Cor. 1:3ff -Cast off condemnation and know God wants to help. Do you believe that? 2. The Presence of a Faithful Friend 2 Corinthians 7:6 Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more. -The presence of a friend can change things for the downcast person. If you are battling the bad day blues reach out to someone else who needs encouraging. If you are having a good day, then be on the look out for someone who is not and determine to encourage them. Paul had sent Titus on a mission back to Corinth with a severe letter of correction for the church there. So when Titus did not show up at Troas as was scheduled I imagined Paul battled some vain imagination about how things had gone. So when he gets to Macedonia and Titus shows up with a good report, he was so relieved and encouraged. This brings us to the next point. 3. A Good Holy Spirit News Report 2 Corinthians 7:6 Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more. -Titus brought good news and the Corinthians sent Paul good news. This greatly lifted Paul’s spirit. -Maybe we need to spend less time listening to the bad news everyday at 6:00 p.m. and tune into some good Holy Spirit news. The powerful words of testimony that come from other people who are being touched and helped by God can cause us to turn our hearts more fully to a loving Heavenly Father who wants to help us too. 4. The Choice to Rejoice 2 Corinthians 7:6 Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more. -Paul could have responded differently. He could have complained saying well it’s about time you got back Titus. It’s about time the Corinthians got straightened out, etc. But instead he chose to rejoice in the good news he was given. He writes 2 Corinthians in response to the news Titus brings back and it is filled with areas where the Corinthians needed correction but we see here that Paul responded to the good news part that Titus brought back even though he realized there was more work to be done there. We too have that choice to make each day. We hear things and we need to learn to see the good in things and rejoice in that yet be committed to lovingly help others continue to improve while we do the same for ourselves. CONCLUSION: Any old carnal Christian can complain, but it is the one who receives comfort from the Father in the way He sends it and chooses to rejoice in the things God is doing instead of camping out listening to all the bad things the devil is doing. I am not talking about living with your head in the sand but living with your heart in the throne room, your feet on the Word, and your eyes on the Lord Jesus. May God help us all the focus on all God in doing and desires to do for us whenever we face a battle with the bad day blues. This entry was posted in Counseling Resources. Bookmark the permalink. ← Bless His Heart – Comedy by Aaron Wilburn One Response to Battling the Bad Day Blues Pastor Kola Akinyele says: August 24, 2013 at 9:16 am This is another wonderful outline that even touched the situation of my life too. My wife has been down as a result of mild ischemic attack and I have been financially and spiritually downcast. I am so much depressed. However, reading this message, I have resolved to ignore every odds and disappointment and press on with my Master Jesus who is my Commander-in-Chief. May God continue to give you divine inspiration in the Mighty name of Jesus. God bless you.
Posted on: Sat, 24 Aug 2013 16:59:18 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015