Stubbornness:
- dogged determination not to change one's attitude or position on something.
Stubbornness can be a positive trait to have, but it can also be expressed in a negative way. When it comes to being encouraged, a stubborn person may choose discouragement over encouragement. As the definition says above, they will be determined not to change their attitude or how they feel.
Last week we talked about a lack of forgiveness being the cause of discouragement or anger. But maybe that is not the cause for you. Maybe it's something else that is at the root of your discouragement, and you don't even know how to figure out what it is.
There is one very important step in pushing through discouragement and being aware of what is at the root. It is important to find out what is keeping you from being encouraged by God and by biblical community. We need to surround ourselves with people who will recognize when something is off and humbly allow others to help encourage us. High trusted friends can ask questions and help us get to the bottom of what the problem truly is and help us deal with our discouragement.
If you are someone who will let stubbornness get in the way of allowing yourself to be encouraged, I pray that you would submit that to the Lord. I pray that you would find a trusted friend or community of people that the Lord might use to share truth with you and help you get to the root of your discouragement. I pray that you would find freedom in the Lord and in truth.
May the Lord soften our hearts to receive encouragement when we need it and open our eyes to those who may need encouragement from us.
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