Discouragement – Satan’s Main Ingredient for a Bitter Heart

Our Devotional Team has reminded us of some fundamental truths in God’s Word from this week’s topic, “Discouragement.” We pray that your hearts have been encouraged!

Where do the discouraged go? Do they wallow in self-pity or rise like a phoenix. Do they lift their hands in praise despite their situation or do they sulk and move about with a fallen countenance? Discouragement is the loss of confidence or enthusiasm. However, spiritual discouragement reveals itself as an inability to face uncertainty, adversity, danger, or suffering despite God’s faithfulness.

The discouraged believer does not believe that the Lord will keep His word. As a result, the discouraged believer may begin undermining ministry or even stop attending church. When going through adversity, the discouraged believer allows his situation to outweigh God’s promises. The discouraged believer has forgotten what the Lord said in the sun is still true in the storm. It is easy for the discouraged believer to forget about God’s goodness when illness and adversity strikes instead of resting on God’s promises. In the state of discouragement, the believer is open to demonic coaxing, the discouraged believer begins to listen to the whisperings of the enemy. The discouraged believer wallows in her discontentment. However, the Bible tells us to strengthen the hands that hang down and the knees that have become feeble. We should make straight paths for our feet so that which is lame (broken) may not be dislocated, but instead healed.

In times of discouragement remember to use praise as your weapon. Change your words and thinking. Instead of saying, "I’m going through." Say,  "I’m making it through." Remember who God is, what God has said, and what He has done.
1. During adversity – “God is your rock and your fortress and your deliverer;” (Psalm 18:2).
2. During times of sadness remember – “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:17-18).
3. Feeling overwhelmed – “Cast your burdens on the Lord, and He will sustain you;” (Psalm 55:22)
4. Feeling alone – “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
5. Losing patience – “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;” (Isaiah 40:31)
Remember always that the God who parted the Red Sea to deliver the Israelites can also deliver you.

Prayer: Lord, our Father, help us to not be dismayed. Help us to remember that You are here for us, that You are the lifter of our heads, that You will never leave or forsake us. Father, forgive us for doubting You, for taking matters in our own hands instead of trusting You. Thank you, for healing, relief, and restoration. Because of Your faithfulness, Your grace, and Your mercy we can be assured that weeping may endure for a night, but joy will come in the morning. Thank you, Lord for Your Son Jesus the Christ who died for our sins and rose on the third day so we might live life abundantly. In Jesus’ matchless name, I pray, Amen.
By Sis. Patricia Towns