Are you fighting discouragement? If so, you are not alone, many are struggling to find a bit of encouragement these days. Let’s face it, the news is ugly, social media is filled with hate, and in general people have become so negative. So, where do God’s people find a word of hope? Right from the source, God’s Word. And this is where we are going to turn to right now and search the Scriptures to fight off discouragement.
Start with a prayer to the source of encouragement. “From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Psalms 61:2.
Biblical instructions on how to overcome discouragement. “Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14. We are to wait with hope, with expectancy, like a pregnant woman awaits the blessed day for the birth of her child.
Consider the word wait in a different manner, not just as a period of time waiting for something to happen, but to serve the Lord. Look at this famous verse from Isaiah 40:31 in this way, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” I know that I have found when I serve the Lord, my strength is renewed. I am filled with joy, and because joy is a supernatural strength we do become stronger as we serve Him. And to clarify what I mean by serving the Lord, it doesn’t mean to take on another task at your local place of fellowship, but to wait upon Him as follows:
- Still your heart before Him.
- Worship Him in spirit and in truth.
- Pray in the Spirit.
- Fellowship with Him in His Word.
- Stop doing all the talking, be quiet and let Him speak to you.
If, you will follow these simple steps you will find your source of encouragement in Christ and overcome the enemy’s power of discouragement.