When life is tiring, when men are mistreated you, when you are struggling with your sin, when family members aren’t saved, when bills aren’t paid, when school is difficult, when work is exhausting, when your health is failing, when your loved ones are hurt, when the future is unsure, and when a good friend leaves, it is easy to be discouraged. Discouragement is a thief. It steals your vitality, your zeal, your joy, your peace, and your contentment. If discouragement dwells long with you, its friends will soon join. Their names are fatigue, hopelessness, despair, self-pity, depression, doubt, and bitterness. Sometimes, discouragement can be so strong that you even don’t want to go on living.

Discouragement is dissatisfaction with the past, distaste for the present, and distrust of the future. It is the result of blindness. It is ingratitude for the blessings of yesterday, indifference to the opportunities of today, and insecurity regarding strength for tomorrow. It is unawareness of the presence of Jehovah God, unconcerned for the needs of our fellow man, and unbelief in the promises of His Word. If we have nothing to rely on, or we forget our blessing and look to our circumstances, then that is when discouragement begins to take hold. Instead, what we need is encouragement. We need hope, faith, peace and the knowledge that the Lord knows our troubles, has great concern and compassion for us and is not leaving us unloved or uncared for.

Keeping your eyes on Jesus Christ is the best way to be encouraged. In Him, you can have comfort and peace, and encouragement. You need to find Him and His words, and by faith rest in Him. God Almighty is called the Father of Mercies. In Greek the word “mercy” is oiktirmos. It means compassion, pity, mercy. And, it is something that is felt in the heart. In God’s very heart, He feels mercy toward you. He is the author of mercy. His mercy toward you brings salvation, the forgiveness of sins, and deliverance from eternal damnation… and this, because of Jesus Christ, because of His sacrifice, because of His shed blood for you. You don’t have to worry whether or not He is going to take care of you. He already has, (THE CROSS), He is currently doing so, and He will continue to care for you. After all, aren’t you more valuable than sparrows and He cares for them. So, He’ll do more for you. Have faith in God Almighty!

Good morning and have a victorious Wednesday with Jesus of Nazareth on your side.

– WILLY SEVERE