Hi .....
Life as a Christian is sure not a bed of roses, it's not easy to say."I refuse to be discouraged.." but we can choose to say that in spite of discouraging things we hear, see and face because of Jesus, who walks with us.
So often we face discouraging and painful situations that we feel so...hurt and lost.
Well our Heavenly Father never promised a life free of trials and tears.
But He did promise to be with us and He does keep a record of our every tear drop.
PSALM 56:8 Record my lament; list my tears on your scroll — are they not in your record?
Even through difficult times He will not leave us.
ISAIAH 43: 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
May be a loved one has hurt us and we feel no one cares. May be people fail to see our hearts
But let this not discourage us for we have with us, Jesus Christ Our Lord and Savior who will never leave us no matter what, so let's look to HIM.
May be we are facing with financial problems and people refuse to help us out in our time of need.
But let this not discourage us for we have a God who is the Jehovah Jirah and He says He will meet every need of ours and satisfy us.
So instead of looking to people around us, let's look up to our Heavenly Provider.
Isaiah 58:11 The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.May be doctor has given us a bad report about our health or the health of a loved one and has said there's no hope.
But let this not discourage us for we have Jesus Christ our Lord and the Healer who says that by His stripes we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
So let's look up to HIM.
Sometimes the going is really tough and we may feel we just can't move ahead. Sometimes we cry out.." O Lord when will your deliverance come, when will you meet my need, when will you heal me.."
Sometimes we feel the Lord does not see us or hear us.....
But He is still there and it's He who carries us through tough situations.
Our deliverance comes from Him, in His time.
1 Samuel 2:1 Then Hannah prayed and said: "My heart rejoices in the LORD; in the LORD my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance.
There were times in the past I just felt defeated and wanted to quit this spiritual walk but it was my Lord who helped me every single time...
He had restored
~my failures to success..
~my sorrows to joy...
~my loss to gain...
~my sickness to good health..
~my tears to smiles..
~If He did it yesterday He'll do it today...
~If He did it for me, He will do it for you.
FOR HE'S THE SAME YESTERDAY,TODAY & FOREVER.
Above all we have the Holy Spirit who abides with us and He brings peace and comfort in midst of the storm.
JOHN 14:16, "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;"
So let's wipe our tears and be encouraged in the Lord for HE is with us even if we are His children.
He listens to our cry and encourages us.
Psalm 10:17 You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,
We too need to encourage others who go through rough waters.
1 Thessalonians 4:18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.1 Thessalonians 5:14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
Here below is a poem that blessed me...
Be Blessed,
YSIC,
Julia
"I Refuse To Be Discouraged"
I refuse to be discouraged,
To be sad, or to cry;
I refuse to be downhearted,
and here's the reason why . . .
To be sad, or to cry;
I refuse to be downhearted,
and here's the reason why . . .
I have a God who's mighty,
Who's sovereign and supreme;
I have a God who loves me,
and I am on His team.
Who's sovereign and supreme;
I have a God who loves me,
and I am on His team.
He is all wise and powerful,
Jesus is His name;
Though everything is changeable,
My God remains the same.
My God knows all that's happening;
Beginning to the end,
His presence is my comfort,
He is my dearest friend.
When sickness comes to weaken me,
To bring my head down low,
I call upon my mighty God;
Into His arms I go.
When circumstances threaten
to rob me from my peace;
He draws me close unto His breast,
Where all my striving cease.
And when my heart melts within me,
and weakness takes control;
He gathers me into His arms,
He soothes my heart and soul.
The great "I AM" is with me,
My life is in His hand,
The "Son of the Lord" is my hope,
It's in His strength I stand.
I refuse to be defeated,
My eyes are on my God;
He has promised to be with me,
as through this life I trod.
I'm looking past all my circumstances,
To Heaven's throne above;
My prayers have reached the heart of God,
I'm resting in His love.
I give God thanks in everything,
My eyes are on His face;
The battle's His, the victory is mine;
He'll help me win the race.
(Unknown)
