EXERCISING YOUR FAITH IN TIMES OF DISCOURAGEMENT

SO...today was a hard discouraging day and you are feeling defeated. I've been there, in fact more times than I wish to count. Those discouraging days sometimes feel like my heart actually aches from the sadness. There have been days when I just can't seem to find the right words to even pray to "help or fix" my trial. We are always trying to "fix and help" our own trials, when what we should really be doing is taking them straight to Jesus!!

In Philippians 4: 5-6 we are told that the Lord wants us to stand firm in Him! 5 Let your gentleness be obvious to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.… This sounds so easy, but when you are feeling defeated the enemy knows and rejoices in this, he is immediately on the prowl feeding thoughts to us which cause hopelessness.

My husband and I have been going through what feels like an entire season of discouragement and what has helped us get through each day has been the word of God! Standing firm in the Lord and firm on His word! We went through God's promises in His word and we tag team these scriptures every evening engaging in prayer when we each feel led. Isaiah 55:11 tells us that God's word never returns void! That means if God promised it, it has to happen for us!! What a beautiful refreshing moment you can have when you speak God's word out loud! It will literally turn your entire outlook around and you will begin to enter into peace that only God can give. Your discouragement turns into hope and causes your faith to increase. This is when mountains start moving!!

I encourage you all to search the word of God and start speaking His word out loud today! Watch in amazement as it comes alive in front of you and you are no longer in the valley, but on the mountain top!