Fight or Flight?

When life smacks us in the face again and again whether it is weariness in well doing, trials, persecution, health and financial issues, mean words and actions from other people, false accusations or whatever, it is easy to become discouraged. It is only natural to cry out to YHVH Elohim in complain: woe is me!, Sometimes we feel like fighting—punching the adversary in the face. Or perhaps our response to adversities is to run away and to hide like the proverbial child who pulls the bed covers over his face hoping the boogie man or the monster under the bed will magically go away. The author of the biblical psalms was no exception to these normal human reaction to depression and discouragement as a result of attacks by people or difficult life situations. 

Give ear to my prayer, O Elohim; and hide not thyself from my supplication. Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise; Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me. My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah. I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest. (Ps 55:1–8)

What does the Bible teach us that our reaction should be when we face adverse circumstances and discouragement is the result? Do we fight our adversary, flee the scene, give up or what? 

The Bible has much to say about discouragement and weariness. Most importantly, though, it shows us how to keep on moving forward without succumbing to the negative and debilitating human emotions of discouragement, depression and weariness that can so easily beset us and take us down.

Do Not Become Weary in Well-Doing

For the average human, one’s entire life is a struggle against opposing forces like adverse health issues, human relational problems or environmental conditions involving economics, workplace issues or political and social upheaval that unexpectedly envelopes us. For the Christian, the battle is even more intense involving not only physical adversaries and forces, but spiritual ones as well including the world (the spirit of antichrist), the flesh (sin) and the devil and his forces of evil that are ever trying to pull godly people downward. Like the spawning salmon, we have to fight our way upstream against the river’s fierce current to reach our goal, but by the grace or divine enablement of YHVH, the Bible assures us that we can make it. Usually the goal is reached and victory comes only after a long struggle. In the body building community there is a saying: No pain, no gain. This is a truism for all of life’s endeavors and the overall message of Scripture. Nothing worth anything comes without a struggle. For example, the farmer sows his seeds and then has to wait patiently for the harvest to occur hoping that drought, floods, blight, pests or weeds will not obviate all of his hard endeavors produce a crop. It is unrealistic to expect instant gratification in this life and relief from life’s trials and struggles. Christians are called to be people of faith. The ultimate and eternal reward is forthcoming to those who persevere and overcome.

Now that we have identified the problem, which is endemic to the human condition, what is the solution? The Bible offers us some encouraging words in the face of discouragement from life’s struggles.

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Gal 6:9)

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of YHVH, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in YHVH. (1 Cor 15:58)

But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. (2 Thess 3:13)

But there is more for us to consider when dealing with the battles of life that result in weariness and discouragement.

Heaven’s Discipline Is For Our Betterment

Discouragement often occurs out of conflicts with other people. This was the case with Jacob and Esau. Rather than learning from his mistakes, Esau turned away from YHVH because of discouragement and became a profane or secular person. He was a carnally minded and a worldly person who was focused totally on satiating his physical needs and wants with little or no interest in godly things, thus he failed to take to heart YHVH’s chastening and to obey his parents, to make peace with Jacob his brother and ultimately to serve and obey Elohim.

For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of YHVH, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom YHVH loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, Elohim dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see YHVH: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of Elohim; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. (Heb 12:3–17)

What About When People Treat Us Badly?

A major source of discouragement comes as a result humans mistreating each other. Often those who are closest to us—spouses, children, parents and close friends—are the ones who treat us the worst. Such attacks are the hardest to endure. The psalmist experienced the persecution and betrayal of loved ones and then wrote about the pitiable situation in which he found himself.

Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. (Ps 41:9)

For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of Elohim in company. (Ps 55:12–14)

In my distress I cried unto YHVH, and he heard me. Deliver my soul, O YHVH, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue? Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper. Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar! My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace. I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war. (Ps 120:1–7)

Yeshua warned his disciples some of their chief adversaries would be those of their own household.

Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. (Matt 10:34–39)

The Grace and the Love of Yeshua Will Carry Us Through!

So how do we deal with and overcome weariness and discouragement as a result of the betrayal and persecution of loved ones or even from the chastening that comes from our heavenly Father?

Yeshua set us the ultimate example of how to deal with difficult people—with sinners, with you and me! The answer is love. This is not a natural human trait or response in the face of adversity. Rather, it is a spiritual gift from heaven—a gift of the Holy Spirit.

 The supernatural love that comes from heaven starts with realizing that Yeshua loved each of us while we were still sinners (Luke 23:34; Rom 5:8). YHVH’s love is unconditional—he is love (1 John 4:8, 9, 10, 16). YHVH’s supernatural and divine love in us—even for difficult people—never fails (1 Cor 13:8).

That divine love then radiates out to those around us like the spokes of a wheel or like a flowing river. Yeshua taught us to love our enemies, bless them, pray for them (Matt 5:43–46). When they smite us on one cheek, he taught us to turn the other cheek (Matt 5:39). In this way, we get the proverbial monkey of anger, bitterness, discouragement, depression, unforgiveness off our own back and can then move forward in forgiveness and love. This is the summation and essence of YHVH’s Torah instructions in righteousness—to love YHVH Elohim with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbors are ourselves (Mark 12:29–31)! These are the weightier matters of the Torah or the higher Torah (Matt 23:23). The Scriptures tell us that YHVH’s love that resides in us will cover a multitude of sins (Prov 10:12; Jas 5:10), and that love is as strong or stronger than death itself (Song 8:10; Rev 12:11). That is another way of saying that true love will give up one’s life for another person (John 15:10). This may involve literally laying one’s life down unto death for another, or laying down one’s reputation, expectation and personal rights in the interest of another person. These are powerful spiritual concepts and easily practiced without divine help! 

For those of us who are returning to the Torah-roots of our faith, how long our beards are, the exact color of blue in our tzitzits, the precise particulars of how to keep the Sabbath and biblical feasts, getting legalistically picky about eating biblically kosher may be important to one degree or another, but they are not the weightier matters of the YHVH’s law. Love is! It is our love that will signal to others that we are the disciples of Yeshua (John 13:35), not our legalist observance relating to the dos and don’ts of YHVH’s Torah-law. We may possess all the knowledge of YHVH’s Torah-law, but if we don’t have love one another, even our enemies and persecutors, then our actions are, no matter how noble they may appear, are no more than a clanging gong and tinkling cymbal to YHVH (1 Cor 13:1–2). Show me someone whose main focus is on the legal requirements of YHVH’s laws and I will show you an unloving Pharisee. I know because am a recovering unloving, legalistic, Torah-observant Pharisee myself for the past sixty plus years!

Legalistically obeying YHVH’s Torah-law will not bring us through the trials and seasons of discouragement that will inevitably come our way, but our love for Yeshua will! The love of Yeshua will carry us through the valleys of life as has and still does for countless Christians down through the millennia who have been and are being persecuted, imprisoned and tortured for their faith. None of them has yet received their eternal reward, but they keep pressing on as faithful overcomers even to death.

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Gal 6:9)

Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: and others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise. (Heb 11:33–39)

Have Faith in the Grace of YHVH!

YHVH’s grace—his divine enablement—will sustain us through trials, persecution and seasons of depression, discouragement and weariness. 

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought YHVH thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of the Messiah may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for the Messiah’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (2 Cor 12:7–10)

Amazingly, Paul not only obtained strength and spiritual power from his trials, but gloried and rejoiced in them. Humanly this is impossible, but with Elohim all things are possible! We hear similar testimonies from many modern Christians who have been imprisoned and tortured for their faith at the hands of evil doers and God-haters. Some have even spent years in prisons in solitary confinement, yet YHVH was with them through it all and they came out rejoicing and empowered spiritually! Yes, YHVH promises to lead and comfort his children through the fire and flood and through the valley of the shadow of death.

But now thus saith YHVH that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine when thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. (Isa 43:1–2)

Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place. (Ps 66:12)

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of YHVH for ever. (Ps 23:4–6)

Keep Your Eyes on YHVH!

Through everything and at all times, the key to facing trials and persecution and to overcoming depression, discouragement and weariness is to stay focused on YHVH! 

Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon YHVH our Elohim, until that he have mercy upon us. Have mercy upon us, O Yehovah, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt. (Ps 123:1–3)

When the enemy shoots arrows of doubt, discouragement, anger, resentment, bitterness or even thoughts of suicide into our mind and emotions, we must take these thoughts captive to the mind of Yeshua and banish them. 

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through Elohim to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of Elohim, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of the Messiah. (2 Cor 10:3–5)

The Love of Yeshua and Having a Circumcised Heart Is the Answer to Overcoming Discouragement

With regard to those who act ungodly toward us, the Bible tells us how to react toward them. This response is counter-intuitive and totally against the natural inclination of our mind, will and emotions. To react as Yeshua would have us do is a gift and fruit of his Holy Spirit and is proof that he is at work in our lives. 

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of Elohim. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are the Messiah’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Gal 5:19–25)

Moreover, if we truly love Yeshua and abide in his love and realize that he loved us so much that he laid his life down for us while we were yet sinners, then our love for him will empower us to do the same for those who persecute, abuse, criticize, falsely accuse and otherwise treat us badly. 

Herein is love, not that we loved Elohim, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if Elohim so loved us, we ought also to love one another. (1 John 4:10–11)

Hereby perceive we the love of Elohim, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren…And this is his commandment, that we should believe on the name of his Son Yeshua the Messiah, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. (1 John 3:16, 23)

A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. (John 13:34)

This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:12–13)

Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? (Matt 18:32–33 in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant)

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as Elohim for the Messiah’s sake hath forgiven you. (Eph 4:31–32)

Be ye therefore followers of Elohim, as dear children; and walk in love, as the Messiah also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to Elohim for a sweetsmelling savour. (Eph 5:1–2)

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as the Messiah forgave you, so also do ye. (Col 3:13)

For when we were yet without strength, in due time the Messiah died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But Elohim commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, the Messiah died for us. (Rom 5:6–8)

But Elohim, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with the Messiah, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in the Messiah Yeshua. (Eph 2:4–6)

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity [love], I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. (1 Cor 13:1–13)

Vengeance Belongs to YHVH

In conclusion, retribution and justice is coming to those who without cause have subjected us to adversity, anguish, distress, abuse and deprivation dignity and respect, but not at our hands. Vengeance or retribution for the wrongs done against us by evil people belongs to YHVH, not to us. Eventually, YHVH the Just Judge, will right all the wrongs and injustices including those done against us. 

But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it. Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity? Unless YHVH had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence…They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood. But YHVH is my defence; and my Elohim is the rock of my refuge. And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, YHVH our Elohim shall cut them off. (Ps 94:15–17, 21–23)

The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. (Ps 58:10)

O Yehovah Elohim, to whom vengeance belongeth; O Elohim, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself. (Ps 94:1)

Thou answeredst them, O YHVH our Elohim: thou wast a Elohim that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions. (Ps 99:8)

To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people. (Ps 149:7)

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith YHVH. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (Rom 12:17–21)

Since YHVH will eventually judge all those who have treated us badly, we must leave retribution and vengeance to him and, in the mean time, let’s focus on loving our enemies, and doing good to those who despitefully use us as Yeshua did. 

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of Elohim, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of YHVH Yeshua, that the life also of Yeshua might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Yeshua’ sake, that the life also of Yeshua might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; knowing that he which raised up YHVH Yeshua shall raise up us also by Yeshua, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of Elohim. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Cor 4:7–18)

What then shall we say to these things? If Elohim is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against Elohim’s elect? It is Elohim who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is the Messiah who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of Elohim, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of the Messiah? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE KILLED ALL DAY LONG; WE ARE ACCOUNTED AS SHEEP FOR THE SLAUGHTER.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of Elohim which is in the Messiah Yeshua our Lord. (Rom 8:31–39)

Loving our enemies may seem like an impossibility for us to do in light of the pain and suffering we have had to endure at the hands of wicked people. And do so is impossible is in the natural! But again, with Elohim all things are possible! Cry out earnestly to him that he will give you the love of Yeshua for your accusers and persecutors, that he would circumcise your heart and take away the anger, bitterness, desire for vengeance, depression, discouragement and weariness and fill you with his love. The love of Yeshua conquerors all and never fails! Believe it and embrace it for this is the core message of the gospel and the example that our Savior who lived and died walking out this divine, unconditional love, so that we might be saved. This is the message of John 3:16!

For Elohim so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.