Thursday, May 21, 2009

Slow Death of Discouragement

1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV "Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith..."

The past few Sundays at FFC we have talked about Beyond the Hurt and Live Strong, messages that bring awareness to the real attacks of a real enemy and how to find real victory! We are excited about the great things that God has been doing in the lives of people. The simple truth that no matter what's happening; we have the choice of becoming better or bitter.

This week I have found been alerted to another tactic that Satan likes to use to keep us from fulfilling our destiny and living strong... discouragement. Just by looking at this word we can see the reason why the devil likes to use it, to break us of our courage to move forward toward God's will and desire for our lives.

The thing about discouragement is that it's a slow death. It seems to suffocate the joy of life out of us. At first you think you can tread the waters by yourself, then pretty soon fatigue sets in and the water becomes thick like molasses and you struggle to keep your head over water. Soon you swallow the fear and the soul becomes paralyzed and leads to defeat.

The problem isn't the enemy, it's fact that we didn't take the time to let go of the responsibility and give it to God in the first place. The verse before it, verse 7 says: "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."

The best way to cast down discouragement is to be encouraged in Christ, and to cast your cares upon Him. God doesn't expect us to carry our own burdens, but to give them to Him. Are you walking in discouragement? Stop trying to be strong in yourself, be encouraged through Jesus.

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