I have heard so much discouragement lately and honestly, I’ve been discouraged too. I have been sick for the last couple of weeks. That’s why I haven’t posted. Whoever heard of getting strep throat in the Summer? Well, I got it! It really zapped me of my energy. I had to sleep a lot while I was getting better. After days of being sick with strep, I had one good day where I had some strength. So I went to church and then went out to lunch with a friend. I thought yay, I have my life back because I feel back to normal. No, that wasn’t true yet. Now my body was having other issues because of all the take-out and fast food we had been eating while I was sick. I made sure my husband and adult son had food, so I had them pick up pizza, sub sandwiches, burgers, and Chinese. My eating choices caused two more days of misery. Those days of sickness pretty much killed my enjoyment and celebration of the first few weeks of summer, leaving me very discouraged.
It’s hard to hang in there when life doesn’t feel good anymore.
Prayer: Lord, how do we get our courage back? How do we get what we need to face today or face tomorrow. I’m so weary.
God’s Word to Us: Joy in me, The God of your salvation! You are a steward in your life here on earth. Yes, you must handle this for a while longer but you sometimes forget all the other resources I can give you. Look to Me, the source of your courage and needed strength.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” Jeremiah 29:11-13
My Heart’s Cry for us is to take our eyes off our problems, circumstances, and difficult days and put our eyes back on Jesus. I remember when I was feeling so sick. I had to rest. I was forced to rest. What if we apply this to the other discouraging problems we face and take a rest? Resting means resting. Stop trying to find a solution to the problem. Stop trying to fix it. Back off and just rest. Allow God to provide the solution. Remind ourselves of His promise that He has a good plan for us and let’s turn our minds to pursuing Him wholeheartedly. That would make such a difference in our discouragement level.
First, we need to quiet our own minds. We need to stop trying to solve our problems and focus on spending time with Jesus, resting in Him. Then we can pray and ask Him for his resources. He has more than enough strength to give us. Strength to continue. He has more than enough courage to give us. Courage to continue. As we choose to be obedient to His Word each day, taking one day at a time, we wait patiently for His answers.
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
So whether you are dealing with depression, sickness, financial stress or any other difficulty causing discouragement pray to our loving God. Let your heart be soothed and encouraged by His kind words to you. He loves you. He knows what you are going through. So rest in Him.
Remember to like here or on Facebook if this has encouraged you. I’d love to hear from you too. Comment or PM me. God bless your week. -Kim
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