Word of Encouragement: God Will Send You Encouragement When You Ask

Have you ever had one of those days that you needed an extra dose of encouragement, but the encouragement that you needed just was not coming your way?

The opposite of encouragement is discouragement. You can get discouraged if you are not making progress as you would like, or your prayers are not being answered as you would like. Discouragement comes when you entertain self-defeating thoughts such as, “No one cares about what I am are doing,” or “What I am doing is not impacting anyone’s life.” Discouragement robs you of fulfilling your purpose and believing that God does hear your payers.

Reflect: Don’t wallow in the discouragement. Recognize the inner voice that is speaking to you, it could be your own self-defeating thoughts, or it could be the voice of the enemy sent to stop you in your tracks from making any progress. Stop and ask God to send you the encouragement that you need. Ask God specifically for what kind of encouragement that you need, and expect that He will bring the exact kind of encouragement to you. God is a creative God and can bring about encouragement to you in various forms.

Meditate:

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had. Romans 15:5, NIV

Word of Encouragemnt Devotional: Rising Above Discouragement

Discouragement never comes at an opportune time. Usually discouragement hits you the hardest when you are in need of encouragement the most.

Discouragement happens when:

·         You are not making progress as you would like or you have made progress and are moving forward

·         Prolonged sickness or reoccurring sickness

·         A sin or habit seems relentless to break

·         Others seem to be progressing while you are not getting as far

·         You have invaded the enemy’s camp

·         Your prayers seem to go unheard

How to rise above discouragement:

Don’t entertain the lies of the enemy. When you feel discouraged, recognize the enemy would love to keep you that way. Tell yourself that you will not always feel discouraged and ask God to send you encouragement your way. Reflect on what is currently going right in your life, focusing on the good. Remember in times past where you were successful and overcame a problem or situation.

Reflect: The enemy often sends discouragement so that you will not move forward and will remain stuck in your current situation. Rebuke the spirit of discouragement in the name of Jesus. Begin praising God and speak out the opposite of what you are feeling.

Meditate:

Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22