Do You Feel Discouraged and Defeated
Over the past few weeks I’ve felt like the old Timex commercial: “it takes a licking and keeps on ticking.” The similarities are eery. I feel beat up, run over, and a little like I’ve taken a licking. From the outside you probably wouldn’t notice anything different, but peek inside my heart and you’ll find it hurts. Like many of you, I know what it takes to push through these kind of days. We have them more than we like sometimes and we all reach a point where we feel discouraged and defeated.
When I’m facing days like these my family reminds me to keep my chin up.
“Mom, things will get better,” my daughter says.
“Honey, don’t let things get to you. Just keep praying and it will work out,” my sweet man says.
But the truth is, the discouragement and frustration often outweigh the good and that’s when I need to turn my burdens over to God. It’s important to let Him take care of me and what weighs me down.
God Equips You For the Tough Times
Thankfully the Lord has been right there to carry me through these tough situations. He gives me the strength and perseverance necessary to navigate the rough spots. I know battles and challenges don’t hang around forever, but when they linger for a bit we must place our trust in God. He alone provides a shield of protection to fend off the flaming arrows and move us forward with courage and confidence.
Tweet ThisWhen my daughter was young we used times like these as teachable moments. I would look at her during hard times and say, “God is building character. He wants you to stick close to Him and He wants you to persevere through the challenges. He longs for you to depend on Him and feel His strength.”
Occasionally she would roll her eyes, but she knew my ‘mom’ wisdom was meant to help her build capacity in navigating the painful moments. I wanted her to remember that as a Jesus girl she could depend on God for anything.
The Lord Commands Joshua
Just as Joshua endured discouraging times, God was right there to sustain him. Throughout Joshua 1 God commanded Joshua saying, “I will give you every place; no one will be able to stand up against you; and I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Joshua’s story reminds us we too, can be strong and courageous, even when we’re feeling beat up and defeated. Living in faith and trusting God to carry us over the hills and through the valleys helps us survive and thrive. Our ability to persevere doesn’t come from our own strength, but through the strength of Christ Jesus. He is reliable, dependable, and always makes a way.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.” Psalm 46:1-3 NIV
Call On Jesus to Strengthen You
When you’re feeling discouraged and defeated call on Jesus to strengthen you during the difficult times. Immerse yourself in the Scriptures and be reminded like Joshua, that God is with you through difficult situations and dealing with difficult people. We may not conquer nations as Joshua did, but God promises that He will never abandon us or fail to help us. He is our strength and our portion.
- Describe a time when you have been through a situation you didn’t understand?
- How did God help you handle the circumstances and the people involved?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sticking close to my side. Thank you for equipping me with patience to wait until I’m no longer hurt or angry to deal with a problem or with the people involved. Sometimes my flesh aches and my strength and courage flounder. I’m grateful for Your Word to lead me through challenges and set me on the path to victory. Amen.
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