Discouragement

I believe we all can relate deeply when I speak of the word discouragement. Just like anything else in life it has an opposite. The opposite being encouragement. Through my experience I have learned it is a matter of choice. What do we do when we feel discouraged? Where or who do we run to? Do we continue to frequent our old play grounds or do we run to God? I hope we all can say that we run to our heavenly Father seeking the truth that we may be filled with joy unspeakable.

I would like to share this with you. Jeremiah 29:11 says; For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. What a wonderful promise my friends, and we should hide this promise in our hearts that we believe it without doubt, walk in it, and live it to the fullest because our God is always faithful.

I know we all have felt like giving up, we have felt like we have been overlooked, mistreated, and even forgotten. This can truly discourage us and make us want to quit. We are to never give up and allow Satan to be the victor in our lives because Jesus Christ has already given us the VICTORY. Discouragement is Satan’s favorite weapon and he will do anything he can to get you to throw in the towel. However, if we know to run to the Lord in times like this we will be strengthened and filled with encouragement to overcome all adversity without doubt. We must embrace the VICTORY that we have already been given, we must live in it, speak of it, share it, and proclaim it in our lives during all trials.

When we yield to the whispers of Satan concerning doubt and fear, we open the door to chaos. One of the greatest traps we can fall to is self-pity. We can begin to feel angry, envious, and jealous. These are traits of Satan and he loves to see this in God’s children. We will even begin to justify the way we feel by creating a wall between ourselves and the Lord.

During one of the most troubling times in Israel’s history, God directed Jeremiah to speak words of hope and encouragement to the exiles in Babylon: Once again, “For I know  the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Therefore, if we are to ever reach our full potential, we must understand an imperative truth of the matter: that truth being God is for us, he is not against us. Just like Israel, we to can sort out our faith and rediscover our deep need for the Lord in our lives.

God often uses trials to position us for a greater blessing even during times of great disappointment. He always has our best in mind. Only he knows how he wants to use our disappointment or hardship for our benefit. God desires that we see Him as our only source of salvation and blessing. When we feel discouragement, we need to go to God in prayer. Only God can give us what we need to overcome discouragement, he has an objective view of all situations. He wants us to rely on Him and Him alone, not the compliments or resources of others. Remember, we live in a fallen world and discouragement runs loose, but we can live above it by focusing our hearts on the love of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

I pray, that if anyone is in an emotionally or physically difficult position at the current time, please refuse to become discouraged. Ask the Lord to reveal His will and plan for your life. Commit yourself fully to Him and pray to obey no matter the costs. If you take this approach, then God will provide for you in ways that far exceed the human understanding. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. Have a wonderful day and may His blessings rain upon you all your days.

Youth leader,