Discouragement

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. –Isaiah 40:31 NIV

Everyone faces major disappointments in life. The outcome will not always be what we hope for or expect, and this can be discouraging at times. Rejection, disappointment, sickness, heartache, or confusion can consume us, causing us to feel powerless and unable to move forward. But we need to understand that God is working in every situation we face. We must take small steps forward, refusing to succumb to feelings of powerlessness and hopelessness. As 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NLT) tells us, “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed but not driven to despair. We are hunted down but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.” The Lord does not want us to be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT) says, “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” We must take our eyes off the circumstances, placing our hope and trust in our Heavenly Father.