Encourage or Discourage?

As believers, we have an enemy.

We are in a war.

Sometimes I forget.

Sometimes I forget about the spiritual-warfare side of my life and how prayer and faith invade the enemy's territory. When that happens, the devil has to do something to retaliate. So he flings what he can our way—problems, sickness, relationship problems, etc. We brush it off, knowing God is on our side, that He will fight for us—or slowly, we allow discouragement to creep in and suck something out of us.

A couple of months ago my husband and I read a great book called Love and War by John and Stasi Eldredge. It was life-changing. One of the great things that came out of that reading was Jason and I started praying together, putting into action the “wherever two or three are gathered” promise. We have been believing—together—for God to do great things. We're expecting healings, salvations, provision and leading like never before. The result has been that our faith has grown. But in conflict with that, we have found ourselves in situations of discouragement. One thing after another has been going wrong.

I Peter 5:8-9a says, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.”

Knowing this, knowing what our enemy is up to in the face of our rising faith, we have said firmly that we refuse to be discouraged. However, yesterday I suddenly found myself in a chuck-hole of discouragement—almost without realizing it had happened.

If you, like me, have found yourself in a situation of discouragement, it may be that you have been praying and your faith has been building and your enemy doesn't want that to happen. Discouraging events may come our way, but we can fight this age-old tactic. The “Just say no” can work. Tell the devil “NO” and say “YES” to faith. We can remind ourselves that God is in control. He knows where we're at. He hasn't forgotten our situation. He answers prayer. Mt. 18:18 says “I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” We can bind this attack against our faith.

I'm praying...“Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to die for me. According to your Word, I bind discouragement and its effects on me, my family, and fellow-believers. I loose encouragement and faith...in Jesus' name.”

We can also build each other up in faith. Yesterday, I spent time reading the Word and praying, and then I went online and began reading fellow-Christian's blogs. I soon felt encouragement trickling into my soul. Faith blossomed in me anew as I read the journeys of my believing friends. We do receive strength from each other. In Hebrews it says, “let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds...let us encourage one another.” (Heb. 10: 24, & 25b)

I pray that you will be encouraged today no matter the situation you are facing.

Know that God is in control.

He hasn't forgotten you.

We do have an enemy.

We are in a battle.

But the One living in us is far greater than any foe! Let faith arise. Be blessed and encouraged.