Don't Stay Discouraged


{Give-Away winners announced at the end of this post.}

If you’ve ever hoped and prayed for something for a long time without seeing results, I understand. At one point I nearly gave up on my marriage. Years later I was tempted to quit writing after many months with no positive results.

In July we will celebrate our 27th anniversary. While our marriage is not perfect (is there such a thing?) it is good. And my first book releases this week. I’m so glad discouragement did not get the best of me.

Though our prayers are powerful, we can’t always see the big picture, and God’s timing is often vastly different than what we anticipated. That’s when discouragement can wedge its way into our hearts.

Did you know that discourage means to separate from (dis = separate) courage? That’s the enemy’s strategy—to rob us of resolution and courage, leaving us discouraged.

One of our greatest assets to fight discouragement is Scripture. Here are specific Scripture verses to help you fight discouragement this week:

To know God has the final say àI know that You can do all things and that no thought or purpose of Yours can be restrained or thwarted. (Job 42:2)

To keep yourself motivated à And as for you, bretheren, do not be weary or lose heart in doing right, but continue in well-doing without weakening. (2 Thessalonians 3:13)

To keep on praying à Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer life, being both alert and intent in your praying with thanksgiving. (Colossians 4:2)

To keep strong à Be strong in the Lord—be empowered through your union with Him; draw your strength from Him—that strength which His boundless might provides. (Ephesians 6:10)

To keep trusting à The Lord is my strength and my impenetrable shield; my hearts trusts, relies on and confidently leans on Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices and with my song will I praise Him. (Psalm 28: 7)

To know He loves you àDon’t be afraid,” he said, “for you are deeply loved by God. Be at peace; take heart and be strong. (Daniel 10:19)

To know He will complete His plans for you àI will cry to God Most High, Who performs on my behalf and rewards me—Who brings to pass His purposes for me and surely completes them! (Psalm 57:2)

As you meditate on these verses, allow yourself to believe each word, and trust that God is greater than the situation you are facing. Because He is.

Keep praying for yourself and your situation, keep trusing, and keep believing!

I want to thank those of you who took time to leave comments on my last post, “Does Your Mind Have a Mind of Its Own?” Your thoughts, stories, and testimonies deeply touched my heart, and I prayed for every single one of you over the weekend, and will continue to pray for you this week.

The 2 WINNERS of last week’s signed Prayers for a Woman’s Soul book Give-Away are:
  1. Kareng (very first comment)
  2. Sprout104
(Please email me with your mailing addresses so I can send your signed books to you!)

Last of all, for those of you in difficult marriage situations, please click on my “Free Resources” tab above. You’ll find a list of good books by professionals (sorry, those are not free) to help you. If you are in an abusive marriage please don’t stay in that situation. Reach out to your pastor, a counselor, or trusted Christian friends who can pray for, connect you with good resources, and help you.



5 comments:

Cheryl Barker said...

Julie, thanks for praying for us. We have a situation in our family that I and others have been praying about for several years. I have been discouraged at times, but it helps to remember that God loves us and that we can trust him completely. We're waiting on his timing. Am hoping it's soon!!! :)

Susan said...

Such great verses, Julie. And I'm so excited for your book. Can't wait to get my copy!

Unknown said...

I just read your devotion on Proverbs 31 site-Don't Yield Your Mind Turf. This devotion was for me!!! I have had so many struggles with this since my husband and I got married in April. I feel the way this devotion described how you felt. I just don't know how to get out of this rut....I have been raised in the church. I love God and I love my husband. Pray for me that God helps me to let go!

Unknown said...

Thank you for this word.

Hester's Heart said...

Great post Julie! Love the definition of discouragement b/c it's so thorough and gains a bigger picture of the enemy strategy.

Also love your follow up verse. ;)

God bless you! Hester, ;)

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