Dearest
Ones,
Discouragement affects each one of us, but we must learn to believe things will be all right. Discouragement can drag us down like a heavy weight in the heart. All it takes is a faint sound of complaining and it can lead to ruin. Why? It causes us to doubt God's love for us.
The devil has two master tricks. One is to get us discouraged and the other is to make us doubt. Don't be tricked either way. It is necessary to replace these two terrible weapons with a heart full of gladness and joy! It's so easy to fall into habits of doubting and sadness. Let's refuse to be discouraged - refuse to be unhappy. As St. James says in Ch. 1:2: "Count it pure joy, when you are involved in all kinds of trials."
Romans 8:28 should be a verse we have memorized so we can pull it out and use it when we become discouraged: "All things work together for the good in those who trust in the Lord." If we truly believe God's words, then we must be willing to give Him control of our daily lives, our problems and our worries. Discouragement is real, but it is not too big for Jesus Christ. "Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world (meaning the devil.)" - 1 John 4:4.
What causes discouragement? Often, it is failure. Sometimes, your best laid plans fall apart - the deal falls through. How do you react to failure? Do you give in to self-pity? Do you blame others? It helps me when I get discouraged to thank God for what I have, instead of thinking of what I haven't got. This is not easy.
It occurred to me that people can cause others to be discouraged, by ignoring the good that they do or by not saying or doing anything at all about it. How long has it been since you complimented the teacher of your children? When was the last time you visited a sick or lonely person? Do you suppose they could use some kind, encouraging words? What if you needed encouragement and nobody bothered to care?
Discouragement affects each one of us, but we must learn to believe things will be all right. Discouragement can drag us down like a heavy weight in the heart. All it takes is a faint sound of complaining and it can lead to ruin. Why? It causes us to doubt God's love for us.
The devil has two master tricks. One is to get us discouraged and the other is to make us doubt. Don't be tricked either way. It is necessary to replace these two terrible weapons with a heart full of gladness and joy! It's so easy to fall into habits of doubting and sadness. Let's refuse to be discouraged - refuse to be unhappy. As St. James says in Ch. 1:2: "Count it pure joy, when you are involved in all kinds of trials."
Romans 8:28 should be a verse we have memorized so we can pull it out and use it when we become discouraged: "All things work together for the good in those who trust in the Lord." If we truly believe God's words, then we must be willing to give Him control of our daily lives, our problems and our worries. Discouragement is real, but it is not too big for Jesus Christ. "Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world (meaning the devil.)" - 1 John 4:4.
What causes discouragement? Often, it is failure. Sometimes, your best laid plans fall apart - the deal falls through. How do you react to failure? Do you give in to self-pity? Do you blame others? It helps me when I get discouraged to thank God for what I have, instead of thinking of what I haven't got. This is not easy.
It occurred to me that people can cause others to be discouraged, by ignoring the good that they do or by not saying or doing anything at all about it. How long has it been since you complimented the teacher of your children? When was the last time you visited a sick or lonely person? Do you suppose they could use some kind, encouraging words? What if you needed encouragement and nobody bothered to care?
The best way to get
rid of discouragement is to encourage someone else. Look around for someone who
needs help.
All people become discouraged at times. Discouragement leads us away from God because it convinces us of no hope and may cause us to give up. Ask Jesus for help - He promised to help those who call on Him. Discouragement is a choice. If you feel discouraged, it's because you've chosen to feel that way. No one is forcing you to feel bad. We must be determined to be aware of the tricks of the devil. He will bring hardness to our hearts, and we don't realize the danger until we are in too deep. The greatest weapon you and I can have in this war with the devil is Jesus Christ!
Jesus wants us to be happy. Again and again in His farewell talk
to His followers He spoke of joy when He said, "Ask, using my name, and you
will receive, and your JOY will overflow." (John 17:16-24) Again, when He
said, "I have told you many things, so that you may be filled with my
JOY." (John 17:13)
All my love and prayers,
Sister Francelle
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