Discouragement

I just recently read an email from a new friend I have made in my travels. I read with interest as the young man shared his personal discouragement regarding some troubles he had been through and the challenges they had presented for his faith. I could sense the desperation in his situation as he shared his story. I could tell that there were moments of hope and faith as well as deep, dark frustration.

I was reminded of what a great weapon discouragement can be. When the spirit of a person is crushed, they lose a willingness to carry on. Discouragement can sink us so deeply into our problems that it literally takes our breath away, much less our will to keep moving forward.

Those are the times that we have to remember the greatness of God. The devil loves it when we blame God for our problems. In doing so, he causes us to turn our eyes away from the one Person who can lift us from despair. Many times in the Bible we read of people who became afraid or discouraged or even hopeless. In each of those times, the difference came when they lifted their eyes back to God. They asked God to deliver them from despair and He did.

Don't let the enemy keep you from the promises and power of God today. Your situation may seem as desperate as my friend's but God has promised to stay with you, to even carry you in the worst of times. When we remember the power of God, it is impossible to lose courage no matter what our situation.

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies....In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cary came before him, into his ears. Psalm 18:2-3, 6 NIV