Hello Friends, I hope this little devotional will lift you up.

The image above is sadly accurate. Discouragement is like a dark cloud that settles over our minds.  It causes us to look back and we usually hear things like, “I should have/I could have,” or “Why did or didn’t I do this or that.”

It’s exhausting. I hate this particular emotion, or should I say not wanted companion!  I’ve spent many hours in the past sitting with this cloud of despair over me.  There have been days that I really had to be proactive to fight against it. It’s not easy or comfortable. It’s a war! 

So, when I forget to put on that Armor and just sit in the corner thinking/battling, like in the picture above, I then have to deal with it with prayer. It’s the only way out. And, it must be done quickly because it’s a slippery slope.   

Here’s a little testimony. One day when I was asking for wisdom, my mind immediately began to venture into past mistakes. My stomach began to get butterflies. You know that feeling, right? Then, I began to feel very sad and unsettled; the favorite darts of the enemy! 

Thank God Jesus always rescues me and lifts me up every time through prayer!  I love to journal my prayers and thoughts. So, as I began to write I heard the Spirit whisper to my heart, “Don’t go down that path, it’s a waste of time.”  

Sometimes we can spend the entire day thinking and thinking and thinking.  It gets us nowhere. We can’t punch away a dark spiritual cloud physically, but Jesus can drive away ANY storm!

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:10-18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Discouragement does not play games! It wants to destroy every ounce of peace we have or stop us from receiving any peace or joy because they equip us with spiritual power and strength.

Jesus is the One who does the fighting for us. We cannot overcome in our own strength. Believe me, many years of peace and joy were stolen from me because I didn’t truly understand this truth. 

I pray that we don’t allow this fiery dart of discouragement into our hearts and minds and that we will pray instead and not give it even a moment of our time!  Remember, discouragement will come,  but you don’t have to entertain it. 

May God cover you and your families with His peace each and every day.