Discouraged

Why am I discouraged?
    Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
    I will praise him again—
    my Savior and my God!

Psalm 43:5 

 

In listening to the conversations over the weekend, I gathered that people seem to be getting discouraged because they feel helpless.  Feeling helpless is extremely discouraging, but are we truly helpless?  Remember, God has given us a spirit of POWER, and of LOVE, and of SELF-DISCIPLINE!

 

1.   In this world we WILL have troubles!  Jesus said that in John 16:33, and since we already know that we will have troubles we can prepare ourselves for them.  How?  Jesus went on to remind us that HE overcame the world (and ALL its troubles).

 

2.  We are also reminded that the fight is not ours: "This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s." 2 Chronicles 20:15.  The events we face may appear overwhelming and quite daunting, but God is the one who fights for us.  Ever know God to be defeated?  EVER?  

3.  It's easy to become fearful when we are faced with so much tragedy, but remember that God is WITH us! "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 right hand."  Isaiah 41:10.

 

4.  Remember Peter's little stroll upon the water?  What happened when he took his focus off of Christ and became fearful of the turmoil around him?  That's right....he began to sink.  His solution?  He cried out to Christ to save him!  And Jesus did just that.  Perhaps it's time for us to stop focusing on all the turmoil and return to Christ!

 

Each morning, my prayer for all of our officers is that they are kept safe, that Christ will go with them and fight for them, and love them.