DEALING WITH THE SPIRIT OF DISCOURAGEMENT

11/26/2023

"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).

We all have had times when we felt discouraged, but we must be careful to check those thoughts before the enemy uses them as a weapon. I know of a pastor who allowed the challenges he faced in leading the congregation entrusted to him to be weaponized by the adversary. The discouragement became so overwhelming that he eventually left the ministry. 

Saints, the problem with discouragement is that it has no respect for anyone. If you give it an inch in your life, it will destroy everything. It starts with you just being upset, and when you don't deal with that situation with love, it takes a subtle hold on your soul until it destroys everything in its path.

Paul, the apostle, had a situation in Acts 18 where it took God's Spirit to comfort and keep him in his assignment. Acts 18:9-11 says, "One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the Word of God." 

Thank God that Paul listened to God. Just imagine how many people have allowed a situation to push them out of God's will for their lives. If Paul had abandoned his assignment in Corinth because of how badly he was treated, he would have missed out on God's will. You may be at a place where you are feeling discouraged about your marriage, finances, ministry, career, and so on. However, you must be careful to handle those debilitating emotions with God's Word before they cripple your faith in God. 

Discouragement has destroyed many God-ordained marriages, ministries, businesses, relationships, and families. And it's something that the Holy Spirit admonishes us not to tolerate. Isaiah 41:10 says, "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." 

If there was a man who had a mastery of how to handle discouragement, it was David. This man was met with rejection and opposition every time he obeyed God. And with all that he experienced, the Bible says he encouraged himself in the Lord. David didn't gloat over who left him or what should have been said or done; looking back was also not an option for him. If he ever looked back, it was only to recall all that the Lord had done.

What, then, should you do when discouragement begins to well up in you? If you ever find yourself here, get into a position of praise. Let the devil know that you will not be sad and angry, but that praises to God will go forth from your lips. Remember, praise is affirming God's Word; it's you insisting that the Word is your reality. And because the Word is your reality, you will dance and shout with praise to your Heavenly Father, knowing that all things work together for your good.

Faith-filled Confession:

I am not afraid because God is with me. I am not discouraged because God has strengthened and helped me. He has caused all things to work together for my betterment. I am moving forward and making progress. Hallelujah!

ONE-YEAR READING PLAN: Ezekiel 24-26; James 3