Discouragement

Fred A. Shewmaker

This is written for those who are truly concerned about the growth of the church.  Your interest in the welfare of the body of Christ makes it unthinkable that you intentionally would discourage any other member of the church. Possibly every one of you would deny ever having done anything to discourage any member. In this article, it is not my purpose to point an accusing finger. However, it may be some things that you have never thought about seriously are discouraging to others.                                                                    

WAYS OTHERS MAY BE DISCOURAGED

 1.  Complaining about allowing some to gain experience by teaching a class, preaching a sermon, or leading singing might discourage those who need to gain experience in those things.

It is only natural to enjoy a class taught by a good teacher, a sermon preached by an eloquent preacher, or a beautiful song led by an excellent leader. Those who complain when the inexperienced are given opportunity to gain experience often are unfair. Comparing the efforts of an inexperienced teacher, preacher, or song leader with the efforts of those who have gained some degree of expertise in those fields is grossly unfair.

No one especially enjoys a dull or dry presentation of the word of God or a fouled-up song. However, instead of complaining and discouraging those trying to gain experience, we should urge them to keep trying. Those who have the courage to keep on trying probably will receive compliments for their excellence from the next generation. We should be thrilled when one makes the first effort to teach, preach, or lead singing.

2.  The weak may be discouraged if those they consider strong skip classes or evening services. Some years ago, a member where I was preaching announced a gospel meeting which soon was to begin. He said, “If you have more than one automobile, bring all you have during the meeting so we can have as many cars as possible in the parking lot.” I was startled, but think about it a while. Interest begets interest. If the strong are not interested in the classes or Sunday evening and midweek services, how can we stimulate the weak to take an interest in them? If we allow pleasure, house guests, or other secular activities to keep us from the classes or evening services, it probably will discourage the weak.

3.  Failure to comply with the truth may be a discouragement to others. If we say, “I know that is what I should do, but…” It really does not matter how one ends the statement; it always is an excuse for not intending to do what one making it should do. That attitude may be a discouragement even to those who are strong.

4.  Sometimes, a husband is discouraged by his wife’s complaint that he allows the church to take advantage of him by burdening him with too many responsibilities. She may ask, “What is brother So and So doing? Why isn’t he ever asked to do something?” Or she may complain, “He won’t ever do anything.” Sometimes a husband may complain that his wife has been teaching a children’s class much too long.

Such complaints also may go the other way. One brother’s wife complained that he was not being used to serve at the Lord’s table as often as some of the other brethren. The brother  responsible for selecting those to serve had a habit of keeping a record of who served. His records showed there was no basis for the complaint. Need we wonder whether the brother was encouraged or discouraged by his wife’s efforts to convinced him that he was being slighted?

5.  Sometimes, children are discouraged because their parents allow them to skip services in order to engage in some secular activity. They are discouraged from giving the Lord first place in their lives by being allowed to develop the idea that some things are more important than serving Him.

6.  Unexplained absences from services are a discouragement to those who are present. Each concerned person present may think: “I wonder what is wrong that they are not here?” No one knows whether or not those who are absent without explanation are away worshipping with brethren elsewhere, are sick and unable to attend services, or have turned their backs on the Lord to gratify their own desires for pleasure on that occasion. However, the Lord knows.

NOW ASK YOURSELF

Have I been a discouragement to others in these ways or in any other way?  Those truly interested and concerned about both the numerical and spiritual growth of the church will want to make certain they avoid anything that would discourage any other member of the church.