Friday, September 30, 2016

When You're Discouraged

Life brings discouragement. Things don't always go your way. Life is often beyond your control. Discouragement may come suddenly and be devastating. When you are discouraged, you can become hopeless. Where do you go from there?

Discouragement can be God's appointment to get your attention. It's a wake up call. It's time to refocus. Priorities may need to be rearranged. Consider your relationship with God. Discover his will for your life. Discouragement can be time for a new beginning. That beginning starts with God. Then, "he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern" (Matthew 6:33, NLT).

Discouragement should lead to a new priority, seeking God's will first in your life. Your new prayer to God becomes, "I want your will, not mine" (Matthew 26:39, NLT). There are times when God's will is not easy. It may put you out of your comfort zone. Nevertheless, in the long run, God's will is best. Then, "you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is" (Romans 12:2, NLT).

Your discouragement is the time to refocus on God. He has a plan for your life. It includes appointments from day to day. Dismiss the idea of chance. Forget about luck. Think about God's providence in the details of your life. "He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago" (Ephesians 2:10, NLT).