Discouragement is one of those feelings that can come into our life when circumstances and events seem to pile up on us and we can’t seem to get our feet to go where we really and truly want them to. We try and try and try and try again to overcome certain obstacles or to deal with besetting sin in our lives…and no matter what we do we can’t seem to make headway.
          Sometimes that feeling can even become a tool that the enemies of God, or the enemy of our soul, will attempt to use to make us sit down; to cause us to think God isn’t present or if He is, then He can’t really care about us because we’re so defeated. They will attempt to deceive and tempt and so discourage us that we cease to endure in the race that is set before us.
          Sometimes we even lay down our armor and give those who’d discourage us full access to our unguarded hearts and they pummel us to the point of truly giving up. No!!! May it not be so that the feeling of discouragement is embraced as acceptable in the life of God’s elect!
          “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, and will say, “Destroy!” Deuteronomy 33:27
          “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
          “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14
          “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling.” Psalm 46:1-3 
          “From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Psalm 61:2
          “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” II Corinthians 4:16
          Dear sisters, He, the Eternal God, has given us His Word to encounter every obstacle that His enemies would seek to set before us. Should you be struggling with discouragement today, I hope that your heart and mind are encouraged by the Living Word of the Lord!!

Stephanie

     Stephanie Paul serves as part of the Addiction Recovery Team at America’s Keswick as Director of Women’s Addiction Ministry. She has been married for almost 30 years to Sesky Paul who is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy. Stephanie serves alongside him as Care Group leaders in their church. They have two grown children. 
     Her single focus in ministry at Keswick is to image Christ in grace and truth to wounded and hurting women, encouraging them to make Jesus the truest Lover of their soul and the One in whom all hope lies.