Dear Lord; Good morning Father. Today Lord, I’d like to spend some time talking about discouragement. As You well know, I’ve been dealing with this particular feeling quite a bit recently and it can be an extremely overwhelming emotion if not kept in check. I’ve also received messages from many others struggling against similar demons, so I thought it was worth discussing today.
In my case, the bulk of my challenges with discouragement are centered around running a business in a radically depressed economy. While we’ve persevered through what I hope is the ugliest part, I was forced to make some very unhappy, but necessary decisions for the survivability of the company. On top of that, the road that always seemed reasonably obvious for me has been clouded by a wide variety of uncertainties, leading to deep feelings of doubt, fear and discouragement. I know that when the dust settles that we’ll be the better for our trials, but in the meantime not allowing Satan to use these moments of earthy weakness to attack my spirit can be a difficult task.
Of course, there are many other forms of discouragement as well. Each day I see and speak with people struggling with these feelings over problems with schoolwork, dieting, quitting substance addiction and a plethora of others. These situations lead to moments of emotional weakness which can truly leave us vulnerable and wanting, and keep us from hearing Your Voice clearly.
So Father, how do we combat these attacks on our spirits in times of turmoil? Looking to Your Book for guidance, I find quite a bit to focus and encourage me :
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” – 1 Peter 5:6-8
We were never promised an easy life on earth, but we’re fragile creatures Lord and it’s easy to forget that sometimes. You did promise us however that if we follow in You and honor You, that You will never leave our sides. What an amazing Gift! You’re there celebrating with us in our moments of joy, and You’re there to comfort us in our times of need… We simply need to quiet the “noise” in our minds, and open our hearts to Your Voice.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your Guiding Presence in our lives. Please help us filter out that emotional “noise” and focus our hearts on Your Will. Bring comfort and direction to all those struggling with feelings of discouragement and depression, and let them know the true worth they have being one of Your Children. Amen.
~Phather Phil
Hi, I’m Phil Malmstrom, a.k.a. Phather Phil. I’m self-employed, father of two wonderful young men, an ordained minister who delights in spreading Jesus’ Message of Hope and Love, a science-fiction junkie, an aspiring photographer and above all that one of God’s Children who rejoices in His Blessings each day. 
Love the scriptures you shared. We can always turn to His Word to find comfort. I couldn’t make it without God. No matter what happens in my world, God is always right there with me. We can be strong and courageous!
Thank you Lisa… I found them wonderfully encouraging as well. May all those feeling discouraged find that comfort in His Word as well.
Have a Blessed Day!
God is our only true peace and comfort. I love knowing He is always there and His Word always brings me comfort. Thanks for this post.
Absolutely Jenifer. It’s easy to get distracted by worldly issues and become discouraged, but in His Word there’s always the answers we seek.
Have a Blessed Day!
Yes, the emotional noise can be so overwhelming! We all have a thing, you’re right, but the burden of providing for a family… owning a business and feeling that same responsibility for the families who work for you it is SO huge! I see my husband tormenting over it just like you are. Satan is the author of discouragement… I am praying against Him for you along with my own husband. God is our hope!
praying against “him” little “h” meaning Satan!
Thank you for the comment, and your prayers Heidi. Your family and husband’s business are in my prayers as well. In the end, God sees us through the turbulent times and rejoices with us when we succeed. We just need to listen for His Voice and Accept His Guidance to get us through!
Have a Blessed Day!
It can be hard to give it all to Him and let Him have total control. Sometimes when we do we get so scared that we want to grab our ‘stuff’ back and handle it ourselves. But He calls us to be strong and courageous and walk our journey with Him at the helm…
It can indeed Allison. Even when our hearts know that He’s the one with the control, our limited minds try to hold on all the same. We just need to give our burdens over to Him and allow ourselves to be led down the right path.
Thank you for the comment, and have a Blessed Day!
The bible is our everything what ever you need God has a word for it. The enemy loves to make us feel nervous scared and anything else but when we feel like this instead of him and us listening to him speak to him and tell him what God’s word says I am. Through to him ” as it is written” Amen
Isn’t it amazing how no matter what the situation is, He’s got all the answers written out for us when we choose to seek them? 🙂
Have a Blessed Day Desiray!
So much pain and suffering all around us. Like cancer, so much “eating away at us” it could be our undoing if not for the anchoring love of our Lord!
We’re in a difficult season of “ministry life” on top of everything else we’ve had to deal with this year. My husband has carried a heavy load on all fronts. We’re praying to see some fruit in our church body very soon; it’s been slow going thus far. Still and yet, we plant the good seed given to us believing that our Father will grow it in due season… his timing, not ours.
I take particular comfort in the scriptures you’ve shared, especially the one from 1 Peter 5. Thanks for sharing.
peace~elaine
PS: Love the new look of things here.
Absolutely Elaine. As you so elegantly describe in your blog on a regular basis, His Love and Guidance need to be our focus in the turmoil that surrounds many of our lives. We are indeed on His schedule, and not our own.
You, your Husband and his Parish are in my prayers.
Have a Blessed Day!
“We simply need to quiet the “noise” in our minds, and open our hearts to Your Voice.” I love this. Sometimes very hard to do…but always thankful when I am able to do so.
Thank you Eileen! It can certainly be difficult to shut out all the worldly distractions and focus on His Messages to us, but we’re so much the better when we can do so.
Have a Blessed Day!