Most Caring Savior, each day holds opportunities for me to be either content or discouraged. Whether something happens that is big or small, the feeling of discouragement can become overwhelming and lead me to a place of despair. My spirit reassures me that at these times I need to look for Your help and guidance … but my mind resists. Instead of throwing in the towel, I must choose to persevere, while relying on You and doing all that I can to encourage myself with the likely outcomes that will emanate from Your intervention into my needs. When I reach out to You from my state of discouragement, I must trust that You will supply me with the tools I need to overcome my despair and show me the way to get my life back on track. Only when I can grasp the hope that lies in You will I be able to pursue, overtake and recover all that has been lost.
To come out on top, I must encourage myself in You, seek Your will for me and trust that You will lead me to victory no matter what I am facing. You have declared that in Your power I can triumph over my feelings, and I must believe it by walking as though it was so. I cannot lose the faith and courage that I possessed in the past that produced happiness and meaningful rewards. When the going gets tough, I must hold on to You so that I continue to do what You want and leave myself open to receive Your blessings. I must accept the fact that while I might be pressed in on every side by troubles, I will not be crushed or become lost in a cloud of doubt. When I become perplexed, I should not succumb to despair because You have my answers. When I get lost, I should not feel abandoned because You are with me. When I get knocked down, I should not feel defeated because You will pick me up.
When I am overwhelmed by turmoil and stress, I tend to become discouraged. That is the time when I should cling to Your promise that tells me “if God is for me, who can be against me.” I should also take courage in Your promise that “nothing shall separate you from my love.” In all the things that I endure, however deeply I might get discouraged, I must cling to the hope that for every obstacle I face You have provided me with a way to overcome or escape it. Therefore, going forward, I refuse to give up or give in to despair. In my heart, I know that You are with me every day and victory is not far away. I will look for Your encouragement and loving kindness in everything I face. I will look to You to fill me with Your joy, hope and love when I am about to give in to negative feelings. As I start each day, I will reject the calling of discouragement and take Your hand. And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN!!
Deuteronomy 31:8 The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave or forsake you. Be not afraid; do not be discouraged.