“Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” (Matthew 11:3).
These words by a man Jesus described as “the greatest among men born of a woman”, John the Baptist while in prison were words of a man who had lost hope about reflect a mix of human struggle and dashed expectations, something that most of us experience from time to time especially when we are faced with life challenges.
Jesus warned us that in this world, we would have trials and tribulations but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world (John 16:33). Jesus promises an inner, spiritual peace. This peace is not the absence of trouble, but a steadfast confidence and rest found in a relationship with Him, regardless of external circumstances. This world is very cruel. However, that should not discourage us because we live in a fallen world. We should never give up. Whatsoever is born of God, overcomes the world (1 John 5:4).
So what should you do when you’re feeling discouraged and dangerously close to doubting God’s integrity, when you start thinking He just might not come through for you like John the Baptist? Hebrews 10:32 tells us what we are to do when we find ourselves in this situation. It says, “But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after you were illuminated.…”
In this verse. the writer urges believers to look back at their early days of salvation, when they bravely endured severe hardships and public persecution without losing their joy or confidence in God.
He encourages believers to intentionally recall their initial conversion and spiritual awakening. Remembering how they successfully survived early trials is meant to give them courage to face current and future struggles.
This verse was written to believers who were so discouraged that they were tempted to give up and throw away their strong position of faith. They had been waiting a long time to see God’s promises come to pass, and they had begun to feel like their answer would never come. But just when they were about to give up, they read this verse that reminded them of when they were first “illuminated.”
The word “illuminated” comes from the Greek word photidzo, which means to lighten up, to shine, to illuminate, to make visible, or to radiate. It gives the impression of a brilliant flash of light that leaves a permanent and lasting impression. We get “photography” from this word, which calls to mind the blinding flash on a camera. This word is used here in order to help these struggling believers put their present hardships “on pause” for a few minutes so they can remember what they experienced when they heard the Word of God for the first time and were “illuminated.”
- What to do when you feel discouraged
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Maybe you can remember a time in your own life when it was as if someone suddenly flipped the light switch and turned on the light, removing the darkness from your eyes so you could see things clearly? That’s exactly how I felt when the Spirit of God finally revealed the truth of the baptism in the Holy Spirit to me. I saw it! I understood it! I was illuminated by that truth.
The Spirit’s brilliant flash of light upon my mind was so strong that it made a permanent and lasting impression on my life. In fact, I have never been the same since. I was still a student at the university doing my first year of my studies. I will never forget the joy I felt after receiving baptism in the Holy Spirit. My desire and hunger to do the work of God was ignited by that experience.
Can you think of a time in your life when the Holy Spirit “illuminated” you regarding some truth? Perhaps He illuminated you regarding healing. Did it feel like your eyes were finally opened and you understood the work of the Cross in a new and different light? Or perhaps you were illuminated about the power of giving. After struggling with giving for all those years, it was like someone pulled back the veil that blinded your understanding — and boom! You saw it! You were illuminated about giving, and the light of that truth made a permanent and lasting impression on your life.
Do you remember the first time the Word of God shot through your being like a bolt of lightning? You saw the truth, and it brought perfect order out of the chaos in your life! How about the first time God spoke to your heart about His dream of greatness for your life? Do you remember the joy you felt?
When you get discouraged and are tempted to give up, when times are tough and your faith isn’t finding its fulfillment as quickly as you desire — you must decide to put everything on hold. Tell your mind to be silent; command your emotions to be stilled; and remember when you were first illuminated to the truths of God’s Word.
That is precisely why Hebrews 10:32 urges us, “But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after you were illuminated.…” The words “former days” is from the Greek word proteron. This word points the readers back to earlier times when they first met the Lord and when they were filled to overflowing with joy, hope, and faith. But now, years have passed. These believers have gone through a lot of struggles, and weariness has set in. Many of their prayers remain unanswered; the devil is telling them that none of the answers they are waiting to see manifested will ever come to pass; and they are tempted to quit.
John the Baptist should also have remembered his eraly days in his ministry and when he was the one to point people to Christ. He was the one to say He should increase while I decrease. If he had recalled that encounter with Jesus when he said “Behold the lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world..”, he would have managed his discouragement much better than he did. Anyone of us can find themselves in a similar situation like John the Baptist.
Sometimes when you are discouraged, it’s good to hit the rewind button in your mind and drift backward to earlier experiences with the Lord when faith was simple and life was uncomplicated. Do you remember how precious those days were? Do you recall how changed you were by the power of God? Do you remember the laughter and joy you experienced? It’s good for you to rehearse those experiences because they stir you up, encourage you, and summon strength for the battle you are facing right now.
Your divine calling, your God-given dream, must be an illumination in your heart that you can call to remembrance over and over again. Call to remembrance how God first spoke to you, and meditate on the promise He made to you. This will help you get past the weariness that’s trying to pull you down. Keep your dream shining brilliantly in your heart and mind — a powerful illumination and revelation that lights your way through any darkness the enemy might bring against you.
I am so encouraged by Apostle Paul’s resilience and steadfastness in the face of challenges in 2 Corinthians 4:8-10) “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed”. He emphasizes that despite severe hardships, believers are sustained by the power of God, reflecting the suffering and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Paul acknowledges intense outward pressures and troubles, but clarifies that these circumstances never destroy or crush his spirit. He often faced confusing situations and uncertain outcomes, but his faith prevented him from falling into hopelessness or total despair.
He could have been knocked down by hardships, but he ultimately got back up because God’s power is greater than any attack.
