DISCOURAGEMENT DEFEATERS

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

I was working in my hotel in Cincinnati last night when a discouraged text came across from one of my dearest friends and ministry partners.  It’s never good when a text has the words, “Please tell us not to give up” in it.

And as I searched for what to say, of how to reply, I was reminded of a little devotion from Debbie Przybylski of IHOPKC.  It gives some valuable direction for times of discouragement. Knowing that my friend is NOT ALONE in her challenge, I thought it would be good to share it.  We ALL need effective tools to defeat discouragement, Amen?

“I heard the story that one day the devil was auctioning off his tools. They were highly priced - laziness, pride, hate, envy, and jealousy. One tool was not for sale. One person asked, "Why is that tool not for sale?" Satan whispered, "I can't afford to get rid of that one. It's my chief tool - discouragement! I can pry open any heart with that tool, and once I'm inside, I can do anything I want!"

How to Overcome Discouragement in Your Life

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9).

There are several principles we can apply in our lives in order to overcome the tool of discouragement. The following are ways to resist and overcome discouragement:

1.  Give up the right to understand - Things happen that we do not fully understand. In those moments we must lay down our right to understand and choose to trust God wholeheartedly. Our faith must come before our understanding. His ways are higher, He is in control, and He will take care of us.

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:9).

2.  Measure success by obedience, not outward success -We often look to numbers and outward achievements, but God sees things differently. Stay focused on obedience to what God has told you to do, and don’t compare yourself with others. God sees your worth and rejoices in it.

"'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams'" (1 Samuel 15:22).

 

3.  Daily pray God's Word over your life - Haven’t you noticed when you’re discouraged, how different you feel after God speaks to your heart through His Word? It’s as if a light goes on that dispels the darkness. When we read and pray His Word, we can have a living, active dialogue with Him in our heart.

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).

4.  Choose faithfulness - God is faithful and He values faithfulness. Look for His "well done" in your life. Seek to be faithful over a few things and with what is in your hands now. Breakthrough is best stewarded by the faithful.

"His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord’" (Matthew 25:23).

5.  Learn the habit of giving thanks -It is hard to be discouraged with a thankful heart. Remember what God has done for you in the past and encourage yourself in your history with the Lord. Discouragement is a loss of perspective. He will complete the good work in you.

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

6.  Resist discouragement in the name of Jesus - We are in a spiritual battle, and there is a spirit of discouragement that we can resist in Jesus' name. Darkness is covering the earth, but there is power in the name of Jesus to resist the devil.

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world (1 Peter 5;8-9).

Remember that God is with you and He is good. You are deeply valued by Him, and He has a purpose for your life. We must resist the devil's tool of discouragement. He will not win, and we are not alone.

He won't!

Have a BLESSED DAY!!!

Love all of you

OPPORTUNITIES for HOPE