Discouragement

To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion, give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes, Messages of joy instead of news of doom, a praising heart instead of a languid spirit. Rename them "Oaks of Righteousness" planted by GOD to display his glory.  Isaiah 61:3  MSG

Everyone encounters discouragement in their life at one time or another.  Loss of job, failure in business, family or personal areas, lingering illness and a host of other life events can trigger a sense of hopelessness   This is the devil’s greatest tool for distracting us from the purpose God has planned for us.  

DISCOURAGEMENT -when things don't happen the way WE think they should.

• There must be an expectation for there to be disappointment.

• The dictionary defines discouragement as; a feeling of despair in the face of obstacles; or a state of distraught and loss of sense of enthusiasm, drive or courage.

Discouragement is a disease that is unique to human beings.  It is real, universal, recurring, and everyone gets it.  It is also contagious.  Just hang around with discouraged people and see how it affects you.

Satan wants to lead us on a path of destruction using frustration, discouragement, disillusionment, depression, and defeat.  He wants us to be defeated by discouragement and therefore to lose our purpose and direction.  

But God promises to replace ashes with beauty, strength for fear, gladness for mourning and peace for despair.  We just have to look to him and allow him to lift us from the pit of discouragement.  We have to close our ears to Satan’s lies and accept God’s mercy and healing.  This is the first step to pushing past discouragement and moving on.

Beware of things that lead to discouragement:

• Fatigue  - Physical and emotional exhaustion lower our defenses

• Frustration - Feeling overwhelmed by interruptions and unfinished tasks

• Failure - Deals fall through, a project collapses, plans fall apart

• Fear – Fear of criticism, responsibility, failure

We need to remember to expect some disappointment in life and also we need to expect that God will use it for His glory.

If you are in the midst of a discouragement right now, ask God to turn your ashes into beauty, to give you strength instead of fear, to give you joy to replace mourning, and peace for despair.  

Scripture to claim: 
A Song of Ascents. I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.  Psalm 121:1-2