Discouragement

I have been feeling a little discouraged lately.  Have you ever experienced days when you feel sad and discouraged, but not sure why?  On the surface, to the rest of the world, it looks like you have everything that you need, so why be discouraged?

Feelings of discouragement are a natural part of living. Discouragement sometimes sneaks in through a crack in the window and takes over our spirit before we know what has happened. It is a state of mind that leaves us feeling hopeless and lacking in confidence and courage. It paralyzes us with doubt and fear and prevents us from moving forward.

Many things contribute to feeling discouraged, including illness, fatigue, financial pressures, not being able to lose weight, not being able to find a job or get a promotion, failure of a company, death of a loved one and simply too many burdens to bear.  It seems that no matter how many times we try to move forward, we can't. We get stuck. 

Ultimately, we have a choice in how we respond to these feelings. We can give in to restlessness, sadness, frustration, complacency or even depression. We can quit and by doing so, we give in to Satan’s attack, for discouragement is one of his greatest tools and nothing makes him happier than to fill us with fear, self-pity and self-condemnation.

Or…

We can choose to put our trust, hope and confidence in God.  God is the great encourager.  He created us with the spirit of endurance so that we can overcome the trials and challenges of life, not a spirit of giving up or quitting.  He has and will provide us with everything we need to be strong and courageous.  Quite often we are asked to be patient, standing firm in our faith and eventually our prayers will be answered.     

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.  Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious voice.  Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)

Discouragement is a state of mind and belief about yourself and others. You can change your state of mind and belief from discouragement to courage and a spirit of encouragement.  Don’t let discouragement steal your joy. Face each day with an attitude of gratitude.  Pray. Give encouragement to someone else who needs it. Give thanks and put on the full armor of God.

13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod our feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  Ephesians 6:13-17  (NASB)

 There is a Chinese Proverb that reads: “The temptation to quit will be greatest just before you are about to succeed.”

Don’t be discouraged. Don’t quit. You are closer than you think.  May God Bless You.

  

Inspirational Video - Check it out
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheWordstoliveby?feature=watch#p/a/u/0/U57BQ1_fNv8