Discouragement takes the heart out of our lives and our spirits. It is a feeling of despair and sadness and results in a lack of self-confidence. Sometimes it causes us to lose confidence in God and sometimes to lose hope in a better future.
Let’s consider a man from the Bible. His mother was an influential Christian. She was one of the wealthier members of the church in Jerusalem. He grew up under the influence of a godly mother and when Christianity was established, their family understood its significance and accepted Christ. He had a lot of potential. The church in Jerusalem saw this potential and utilized him quite often.
JOHN MARK’S BACKGROUND – Acts 12:12, 25
The church was in Mary’s house, praying for Peter. That shows her wealth and her influence. We would probably be safe in suggesting that Mark’s father was dead. He was, no doubt, Mary’s “pride and joy” in the Lord.
The famous missionary team, Barnabas & Saul, had come from Antioch of Syria to Jerusalem to bring benevolence for the poor Christians here. They stayed in Jerusalem for a while.
But when they decided to return to Antioch, they took – of all people – John Mark! He was their “helper” – Acts 13:5.
MARK MESSED UP MARVELOUSLY – Acts 13:13
Acts 13:13. I really believe that, for whatever reason John Mark turned back, it was either because he was discouraged or the reason that made him turn back probably led him to feel discouraged.
Why are you discouraged right now? Are you trying to shoulder your own cares and fears? Is it because events in your life are outside of your control? Is it because of events that were in someone else’s control but they handled it poorly? It is because you have failed? Well, welcome to the failure club. It’s called humanity.
Consider now what happened to John Mark next. A few years later, when Barnabas and Paul decide to take a second journey, Barnabas wants to give John Mark a second chance. He needs some renewal in his spirit. Acts 15:36-39. The apostle Paul adamantly refuses to take Mark. But John Mark needed renewal. Not only does he probably feel like a failure for turning back the first time but now the famous, the influential, the powerful apostle Paul has just verified that John Mark is a failure!
What do you do when you need renewal? First of all, you pray. Psalm 51:10. Romans 8:28.
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Be realistic. You are human and you can only do so much.
Give your discouragement over to God. Consider the words of Matthew 8:17.
Pray & ask God for fresh direction & plan for better things.
Quit beating yourself up over “What might have been…” That is a defeatist attitude.
Don’t focus on your feelings. Feelings change with the weather and they are not reliable.
Be ready for God to act in your life. Confidence in God leads to self-confidence…
So, Barnabas takes him and they do their own mission trip.
MARK IS RENEWED EVENTUALLY BY PAUL
Colossians 4:10. Colossians is usually dated around 63 A. D. That would be roughly 15-16 years after the initial split. In the meanwhile, clearly Mark had shown himself to be a faithful and dedicated worker with his cousin, Barnabas.
The renewal then works both ways – consider Philemon 24 (and 2 Timothy 4:11).
Seek to renew others and seek renewal from the Lord and fellow Christians.
–Paul Holland
