We are living in challenging times and could easily get discouraged by the current environment. When Jesus was asked about the times just before His return, He responded in Matthew chapter 24:
3 Later, when they arrived at the Mount of Olives, his disciples came privately to where He was sitting and said, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what sign should we expect to signal Your coming and the completion of this age?”
4 Jesus answered, “At that time deception will run rampant. So beware that you are not fooled! 5 For many will appear on the scene claiming My authority or saying about themselves, ‘I am the Anointed One,’ and they will lead many astray.
6 “You will hear of wars and revolutions on every side, with more rumors of wars to come. Don’t panic or give in to your fears, for the breaking apart of the world’s systems is destined to happen. But it won’t yet be the end; it will still be unfolding.
7 “Nations will go to war against nations and kingdoms against kingdoms. And there will be terrible earthquakes, horrible epidemics, and famines in place after place. 8 This is how the birth pains of the new age will begin!”
Does this sound familiar? You can mark off everything Jesus included in His description of the end times and know that these are now current events. Be of good cheer for FATHER put us here for such a time as this. We must not allow ourselves to become discouraged because of the apparent timing and enfolding of events.
When you and I were formed in the womb, our books were already written and our provision was already set aside. The required power and authority are awaiting full activation in most cases so let us not allow the enemy to discourage us from our mission. David himself had to deal with discouragement so what did he do?
It is written by The Holy Spirit in 1st Samuel chapter 30:
6 Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.
7 Then David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, “Please bring the ephod here to me.” And Abiathar brought the ephod to David. 8 So David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?”
And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.”
There are days when I must encourage myself in THE LORD and remind myself of HIS past actions on my behalf. I must recount the many testimonies of FATHER’s goodness in my life. I must also remember the many times when HE delivered me out adversity. When we recount FATHER’S acts of Love for us, we change the dis- to en- thus we become encouraged.
The devil and his minions would love to keep us in a discouraged state of mind. It is not going to happen! Once we identify the situation, we can remedy it by praying in The Holy Spirit and build ourselves up in the most Holy faith. We can then meditate on promises such as what Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Ephesians 3:
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.
There is power within each of us. We must not let this power remain dormant and only stay in the potential category. This power must be activated by our acts according to The Word. Let us go about doing good and when we do, discouragement will dissipate from our midst.