Discouraged? Focus on God’s Word

My discouragement is a choice right now. It doesn’t feel like it but I have read enough self-help books and articles to know that it IS a choice.

Something painful to accept happened yesterday. I do not like it one bit. But people are allowed to make their own choices. Then I get to CHOOSE how I will respond or react. Reaction happens pretty quickly, almost as if there is no choice involved. But as time passes we all get to choose how we will carry on from here on out.

Staying stuck in the thought “ I don’t want life to be this way” does NO good. Because reality is—life is as it is, like it or not.

Right now my feelings are very strong. SO I need to ask myself if they match the current reality of the situation or my assumptions about it and the future an hour, or even forty years from now?

Then I need to ask myself what I am going to do with these emotions. For perspective I can:

~journal
~talk to a friend
~take a walk & breathe
~And / Or… I can see what God’s word says about my disappointment and discouragement.

Here are some verses that I am going to cling to today. They might help you down the road as well:

Proverbs 3:5-6 New Living Translation (NLT)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Joshua 1:9 English Standard Version (ESV)
 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

2 Corinthians 12:9 English Standard Version (ESV)
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me

John 16:33 English Standard Version (ESV)
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

1 Peter 5:7 English Standard Version (ESV)
casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Psalm 31:24 English Standard Version (ESV)
Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!

Deuteronomy 31:8 English Standard Version (ESV)
“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 English Standard Version (ESV)
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, ¹⁸ as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Isaiah 41:10-13 English Standard Version (ESV)
^“ fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Behold, all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish. You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all. For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”

Isaiah 26:3 English Standard Version (ESV)
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Psalm 56:3 English Standard Version (ESV)
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

Romans 12:12 English Standard Version (ESV)
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

2 Thessalonians 3:13 English Standard Version (ESV)
As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.

2 Timothy 1:7 English Standard Version (ESV)
for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Colossians 3:2 English Standard Version (ESV)
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Philippians 4:8 English Standard Version (ESV)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Did you catch the last one? We are to remain focused on the positive things in life. This is hard but it is do-able. It takes concerted effort on our part. We must train our minds to keep going back to something positive either:
about the situation
about something else in our lives
and ever on God’s Word.

Today if you are discouraged or disappointed—upset in general, take time to meditate on these verses and let the promises of God’s Word return you back to a better place.

Until Next Time~
Blessings, Kate

Photo by whoislimos on Unsplash

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