He Comforts and Encourages the Depressed and the Disquieted

A Leadership Insight from Vision Multiplier International https://visionmultiplierllc.com/

I was reflecting on these scriptures this morning and my heart and mind began to reflect on the “regrets” of life that we, the leaders, often experience from time to time. 

We work daily to walk in the joy of the lord; however, there are times or seasons  where we notice “how life” could have been different if we had made better choices.

Some of our choices may have caused us to sin; yet others may have simply been a “bad decision” to neglect something/ someone valuable. 

Either way, we can recognize the mistake and begin, today, to take actions to get things back on track. 

Failure to do so can have lasting consequences – maybe even eternal. 

We see in the scriptures where Gods disciples, who were in the field doing God’s work, were struggling like some of us are today. 

“For even when we arrived in Macedonia our bodies had no rest, but we were oppressed at every turn—conflicts and disputes without, fears and dread within.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭7‬:‭5‬ ‭AMP‬‬

There is good news! The Bible tells us that there is nothing new under the sun and God still comforts:

“That which has been is that which will be [again], And that which has been done is that which will be done again. So there is nothing new under the sun.”

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬ ‭AMP‬‬

“But God, who comforts and encourages the depressed and the disquieted, comforted us …..”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭7‬:‭6‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Amen

Our God loves and care for us so much that he has already made provision for these moments. Scripture reassures us:

“After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace [who imparts His blessing and favor], who called you to His own eternal glory in Christ, will Himself complete, confirm, strengthen, and establish you [making you what you ought to be]. 

To Him be dominion (power, authority, sovereignty) forever and ever. Amen.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭AMP‬‬

As leaders, we must be encouraged and not allow another day to end where we are carrying this burden of regret. We are only a decision away from freedom!

The scripture shows us:

“If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose].”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Let today be the day of salvation. 

Satan, we plead the blood of Jesus over every leader and their families. We bind the spirit of regret and declare that we are all free in Christ. In Jesus Name.

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

“For even when we arrived in Macedonia our bodies had no rest, but we were oppressed at every turn—conflicts and disputes without, fears and dread within. 

But God, who comforts and encourages the depressed and the disquieted, comforted us by the arrival of Titus. 

And not only by his arrival, but also by [his account of] the encouragement which he received in regard to you. He told us about your longing [for us], your mourning [over sin], and how eagerly you took my part and supported me, so that I rejoiced even more. 

For even though I did grieve you with my letter, I do not regret it [now]; though I did regret it—for I see that the letter hurt you, though only for a little while— 

yet I am glad now, not because you were hurt and made sorry, but because your sorrow led to repentance [and you turned back to God]; for you felt a grief such as God meant you to feel, so that you might not suffer loss in anything on our account.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭7‬:‭5‬-‭9‬ ‭AMP‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/1588/2co.7.5-9.AMP

Perfectly and Fully Developed

I was reflecting on these scriptures this morning and the idea that we need to be patient with ourselves as we walk out this faith journey.

We live in a society that values and cherishes immediate gratification and instant results. Certain situations exist where we need an immediate need met and God is able to meet our needs immediately.

Usually, when it comes to growth and maturation, this is developed over time.

Like a plant when the bulbs are planted, there may be a period where it appears that nothing is happening.

During these times, there is the tendency to think that the seed has died and there will be no harvest- not so!

With patience, there ultimately is that glimmer of hope which is created when we see the tip of the blade. Then later, we see more and more plant growth and with hearty roots.

So is it with our personal spiritual development and growth as a leader.

We all need a little grace and patience as we press towards our breakthrough moment.

We never know the level of effort that is required to complete this process.

Many times we have confessed that “this is the time, we will stay true to our confession and be obedient in season and out of season” – only to still realize that without God we can do nothing.

Many of us, are comfortable with endurance, steadfastness and patience having “partial” access to the rooms in our heart, our minds and in our souls.

To permit them to do a thorough work, we must sacrifice our comfort for vulnerability and for growth.

When we “let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work” in us, we will see God’s handiwork.

Yes, all things are possible for him who believes”.

“We believe… so therefore all things are possible for us, because of Christ Jesus”.

Be encouraged!

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

“Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.

Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.

But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.”

James 1:2-4 AMPC

When a man’s ways please the Lord

I was reflecting this morning on the burden of regret which can be very heavy and debilitating.

As leaders, It is impossible to get through this life without making mistakes: whether mishandling of relationships, decisions, our health, our marriage, our emotions, our thoughts, or our behaviors – you name it.

There is hope! I just hear the Word of the Lord saying:

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 KJV

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” John 12:32 KJV

We can find forgiveness and redemption in the name of Jesus as the scripture says “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;”

Philippians 2:9-10 KJV

I am so grateful that even REGRET must bow to the name of Jesus! Restoration is ours to accept.

Once we lay the burden of regret at the feet of Jesus, we must arise in the newness of life from his forgiveness as we thank him, worship him and adore him.

We must

⁃ “ARISE [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept us–rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for our light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon us! [Zech. 8:23.]” Isaiah 60:1 AMPC

⁃ Strive to walk in the “fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit].”Galatians 5:22-23, 25 AMP

In closing, we really need to believe that God loves us so much that he gave us Christ.

“But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ’s victory] and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere, For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ [which exhales] unto God, [discernible alike] among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing:”

2 Corinthians 2:14-15 AMPC

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

“When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”

Proverbs 16:7 AMP