Fighting discouragement

Voices of discouragement are everywhere we turn. If we are not careful, prayed up and studied, the spirit of discouragement can tear us down and become a stronghold on our lives. Discouragement may come in different forms: intimidation, manipulation, doubt, and denial. These are distracting elements to your true purpose for the Kingdom of God; these ultimately lead to a spirit of fear. We have to stand strong on the word of God to fight it. You must be alert and vigilant to recognize it and fight it. You cannot let discouragement take root in your heart or mind, because it will lead to you doubting yourself and will cause you to even question your faith. Discouragement affected Peter! It led to his doubt. He took his eyes off the Master and then began to sink. We cannot allow our faith to become unstable! We must stay focused. You cannot control what thoughts come into your mind, but you can control what you do with those thoughts. You can’t “always” control the voices around you, but you can control what you do with them.

We need to do 3 things when we are faced with discouragement or discouraging situations: 1. LISTEN- Listen to the Father! Listen to the one true voice. Listen to what He says about you and the situation. 2. LEARN- Learn what the word of God says about YOU! Find a scripture to STAND ON so that when those discouraging voices come, you can pull out your sword and fight! 3. LEAN- Lean on the Lord for everything!! When in doubt… Proverbs 3:5-6 says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and LEAN not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him; and He shall direct your paths.”

I encourage you today to find scripture that tells you of your worth in Christ! You must know your identity in Him. Along with scripture, the best way to counter discouragement is to sit in His presence and let Him reveal Himself to you. Everyone is worthy to sit in His presence. Speak these scriptures aloud! When those discouraging thoughts or voices come, speak out those proclamations of faith! Let the enemy know you have the power of Jesus Christ in you!

2 Corinthians 10:3-6(NKJV) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

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Dee White

Dee White has been walking with the Lord for over 20 years and has found a way to use her God given gifts, personal experiences and passions to minister to others. She has walked the road of depression, anxiety and suffered with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. The Lord has completely transformed her and she has been delivered and healed from all of them. As an artist and disciple of Jesus she finds great comfort in writing and loves to share her heart and the heart of the Father through devotions, storytelling or her art. She is passionate about seeing others set free and living a victorious life in Christ.

She has resided in South Carolina for 10 years and attends Bridgeway Church in Greenville, SC with her husband and two children.