10 Jan 2012 5 Comments

Free from the Stronghold of Discouragement

Why do we keep going when everything around us says to quit? Those of us who are Christians have a answer. But is it an excuse? How do we know the difference? There are times when we all want to give up. Why don’t we?

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Courage.

Discouragement seems to be a natural way of life today. We step ahead but find our competition is too great. Or converesly we do great work, but stupid, low quality ridiculousness is what is selling. How do we know what to do? Or when?

If we continue to be discouraged and never get back up again we are guaranteed defeat. When this happens the stronghold of discouragement has won. With it comes fear, despair, confusion, envy, torment, worry, resentment, and any number of strongholds.

Discouragement should never have a place within the body of Christ. After all we are to be encouragers of each other. We know the end of the story. We know where we’re headed and we know God’s will for our lives. But what do we do when those bouts of discouragement seem to seek us out?

Our Lady of Confidence

5 Biblical tips to overcome discouragement:

1 Pray. God does have an answer. He can build you up and meet all of your needs. He knows your concerns. He wants you to be joyful.

Psalm 138:8 The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, endure forever–forsake not the works of Your own hands.

Psalm 35:9 Then I shall be joyful in the Lord; I shall rejoice in His deliverance.

2. Be an encourager of someone else. Others are going through trials that need your encouragement. In the trials of others we sometimes find the answers. If not the answers, we are encouraged in knowing we can dispel discouragement.

2 Corinthians 1:4 Who comforts (consoles and encourages) us in every trouble (calamity and affliction), so that we may also be able to comfort (console and encourage) those who are in any kind of trouble or distress, with the comfort (consolation and encouragement) with which we ourselves are comforted (consoled and encouraged) by God.

3. Take inventory. Why are you discouraged? What can you do to get over it and feel good about what you do have–yourself, your work, your life or relationships?

Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?]

4. Keep yourself busy with what you’ve discovered. Whatever you do for and in the Lord is never wasted.

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose].

5. Expect. Keep your focus on your goal. Not on the amount of time it takes to reach that goal. Or on the goals of someone else.

Psalm 27:14 Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.

Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.

Written by Christian author, Pola Muzyka.

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by Pola in Bible, Biblical Advice, Christian Authors, Depression, Discouraged, Heartache, Pola Muzyka, Stronghold Tags: , , , , , , , ,