Discouragement
Discouragement is one of the main ways that I am attacked daily by Satan. God never gives us discouragement. God will convict us when needed but he will never send discouragement. I think that the Devil uses discouragement because it is one of the most powerful tools he has against us. For me, this ties back into the comparison and competition devotion from last week. When I compare myself against others, I feel discouraged.
But God has a plan for us all in his timing. Today I found out that I did not get the scholarship that I applied for. Immediately I began to feel bad about myself and discouraged to continue with school (even though I am holding a 4.0!) Yesterday I felt discouraged because I stepped on the scale and I had gained 2 pounds. The devil uses discouragement in every part of our lives no matter how small they seem. When I get discouraged I get down on myself which leads to me isolating myself from everyone and trying to solve my problems alone. But I am not alone. Not only do I have God on my side to talk to, I also have close friends and family that I can reach out too.
Becoming discouraged can lead to quitting what God has called you to do. Over the past two years I have realized that God has called me to work with special needs children. If I listened to my head I would stop going to class because obviously if I cannot get a simple scholarship then I do not deserve to finish my degree. And that could not be farther from the truth! The devil puts these silly thoughts in our heads and we just run with it until we have quit and possibly lost that connection with God that we so desperately need. Our pastor this Sunday spoke out having that connection and how we lose it. I have lost it many times in my life. He said that we all have a hole in our soul where we just do not fit in. We must discover that we are a child of God and that the hole in the soul can only be filled by God. That hole is often caused by the devils discouragement in our lives.
So how do we stop that hole from even forming? I have not quite figured that one out yet! But I know that when I pray away my discouragement, read my Bible, write scriptures and go to church I am fulfilled. Joseph had to learn that one step backwards is also one step forward into what our calling. Discouragement is a step forward into the right direction if we use it to our advantage and don't let us drag us down. God is there for us to use him to pull us back in the right direction. He WANTS us to use him. I am adding some verses down below that I hope will help you ward away some undeserved discouragement:
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? - Romans 8:31-35
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and I will help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.- Isaiah 41:10
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world. -John 16:33
