Discouragement!
What do you do
when something that you thought you had overcome rises up bigger and badder
than it was the last time? For some of us it is a sickness such as cancer that
was in remission, but now has spread like wildfire. For others, it may be
people that were thankfully out of our lives but came back, settled in and plan
to stick round. For many, it may be a feeling of relief to have stable
employment with job satisfaction only to experience yet another round of massive layoffs. Discouragement is right around the corner to tell us
that all hope is lost. As Michael Jackson sang in the movie, The Wiz, “You
can’t win child, you can’t break even, you can’t get out of the game!” An
overwhelming feeling tells us to just give up!
In the book of Acts,
Paul was a prisoner and had good reason to be discouraged (Acts
27). He was on a ship to Rome, in the middle of a great storm, with chances of
arriving to his destination being slim to none. Furthermore, there was a
plan in place to kill Paul with the other prisoners. However, an angel assured Paul
that no one would lose their life and he would certainly be delivered.
I can imagine him smiling saying, “So keep up your courage men, for I have
faith (complete confidence) in God that it will be exactly as it was told me.”
(Acts 27:25)
Perhaps you are feeling discouraged today. Don’t
worry! God is fighting for you! No matter how many times discouragement
shows up in your life, He said that He would never leave you. As you
walk in faith and confidence that God is with you, tell your family,
friends and coworkers because your story may encourage someone else today.
Please leave a comment below sharing how God has
helped you when you were discouraged.
Acts 27:22-25 Amplified Bible
(AMP)
22 But [even] now I beg you to be in good spirits and take
heart, for there will be no loss of life among you but only of the ship.
23 For this [very] night there stood by my
side an angel of the God to Whom I belong and Whom I serve and worship,
24 And he said, Do not be frightened,
Paul! It is necessary for you to stand before Caesar; and behold, God has
given you all those who are sailing with you.
25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith
(complete confidence) in God that it will be exactly as it was told me;
Joshua 23:3
And ye have seen
all that the Lord your God hath done unto all these nations
because of you; for the Lord your God is he that hath fought for you
Deuteronomy 31:6 New International
Version (NIV)
6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be
afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes
with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
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