Sunday, October 11, 2015

Glory {Art} Scripture Challenge #17, Discouraged?

The Study
If you remember, I was unable to post the last Glory {Art} Challenge due to one of my daughter's taking her fourth ambulance ride this year to the ER. She ended up being in the hospital for 10 days this time. At one point they thought she needed heart surgery. Yes, this is the daughter that just had her 4th back surgery earlier this year. During this hospital stay, she was on complete bedrest, she was in tears, and she was discouraged. She wanted to go home, and so did I. She also wanted to go back to school. She is tired of hospitals and problems. Have you ever felt that way? Are you discouraged? Maybe you too have health problems or a family member does. Maybe you are having trouble paying the bills or you are discouraged in your job or lack of finding one. Maybe you are discouraged because you have tried to get the weight off over and over again, and it just doesn't happen. There are so many reasons we become discouraged.

If we focus on the problem, we will be discouraged. But God doesn't want us to be discouraged. He wants us to focus on Him and encourage us! In Exodus 5:22, we see that Moses took his doubt and discouragement to the Lord. 

Exodus 5:22 "Moses returned to the Lord and said, 'Why, Lord, why have You brought trouble on this people? Is this why You sent me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and You have not rescued Your people at all.'"

Moses did the right thing. He turned to God, and God responded with encouragement and tells Moses how He will rescue His people.

Exodus 6:1 "Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of My mighty hand he will let them go; because of My mighty hand he will drive them out of his country.'"

God sees past our troubles. He has a bigger picture for us. God gave Moses encouragement and hope, and He gives us encouragement and hope also. He is the God of comfort in our troubles. Even when we are discouraged, we need to praise Him. He is faithful. His grace and love are abounding.

Deuteronomy 32:4 "He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He."

Psalm 86:15 "But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness."

So what do you do for someone that is discouraged? Or what do you do for yourself? I will tell you what I did for my daughter. First, she denied everything I suggested to distract her. So I quietly sat next to her bedside, and I turned to His Word by reading scriptures aloud to her. She said nothing and had her back turned to me as she lay in the bed. Then I started playing her new favorite album by 7eventh Time Down. After listening to scriptures and this song, she began to weep which made me weep along with her. The scriptures and the music did us both good and brought us encouragement. One of the songs we listened to was "Unbelievable." You can listen to it by clicking here. Some of the words in the song are:

"Lord You could've given up 
And walked away 
From someone so unworthy 
But You stayed 
Your faithfulness surrounds me 
Your grace is all abounding 
Your mercy overwhelms me 
You call me Your own 
I know You'll never let go 
Your love’s unbelievable 
On and on it goes 
Your love’s unbelievable 
On and on it goes 
Your love’s unbelievable"

So when we are discouraged, read His word. There is a living, eternal, super-natural power in God's Word. God speaks encouragement and hope to His children through His word. Do you take your focus off of God when you are discouraged? I pray instead that in faith you would turn to Him in your discouragement and troubles. Let Him encourage you!

Romans 1:17 "For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'"

"Fight back! Discouragement is a choice. If you feel discouraged, it's because you've chosen to feel that way. No one is forcing you to feel bad. Hang on! Do what's right in spite of your feelings. No feeling lasts forever."Rick Warren

The Art
For today's Scripture Art Cards, I used Strathmore Artist Trading Cards. I use the Canvas Paper in the ATC size. No need to cut, gesso, or prepare these in any way; just start painting. They are even white on one side and off-white on the back so you can choose which side to use. I should have started using these from the beginning of the year but I guess now is better than later. The canvas texture is also nice. To purchase, see the supply list below.

For my cards today, I needed something quick as we have only been home from the hospital a week today. She didn't need heart surgery yet, praise God, but she was diagnosed with a new health condition unfortunately. Anyway, because I needed something quick, I used this video by Marta Lapkowska for inspiration. I like how these turned out but may do another full-sized art journal page using this same technique. It was fun.

Because the ATCs were so much smaller and moved around, I used adhesive to stick all four cards onto a sheet of newsprint paper. That way I could paint all four at once, and they did not move around. Sorry for the bad lighting. It was rainy and dark when I started these.

And here is how they turned out with scriptures and the quote from the study:





Feel free to join us on the Facebook page where some people will be sharing their creations. We also have some discussions that will be going on there too about the study. If you don't use Facebook and want to share your creation here, do so below by using Inlinkz! To see all of the information regarding this challenge and the previous studies and art tips, please see this post here. And today instead of being discouraged, I pray you will be encouraged by this beautiful prayer.

Ephesians 3:14-21 "For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

Product List (click product tags for more information)

View blog post for supplies

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your heart as well as your art. We do each have struggled snd there are times I just want to give up and give in. But where do we go...? There's only one place to go and that's to the Lord. Nothing hurts worse than troubles with our children. You handled your daughter's frustration and discouragement so well.

Anonymous said...

Praying for Ashley and all who are for her. "Be not dismayed whate'er betide; God will take care of you. "
Lovely colors, doodles, stitches, and meaningful words. Maybe I could attempt something like this.
Jennifer in Ohio

Paper doll said...

This was so for me this morning! Thank you for sharing your heart, your stories and your love for God!! Your always an inspiration!!

moknowsall said...

thank you for the inspiration. at times, I too, get depressed and discouraged. I was in the hospital for the first time in my life last year (besides birthing babies) and it was a long time for me to recover and get back to somewhat normal. it was a year before I became my old self. Your message is so true. Don't give up, look for inspiration from the Lord. Love your ATC cards = wonderful

maureen
moknowsallcrafts.blogspot.com

Annette:) said...

Praying for you and your daughter. I was just doing my Bible study lesson today and you came to mind. Thanks for sharing your wonderful art work. God bless you!

Anne-Marie said...

Dear Patter, I do hope that things have improved for your daughter. Thank you for reminding me that I do not need to be discouraged. I like the bright painted background of your artwork.

Related Posts with Thumbnails