One of the primary obstacles the evil one will use to get you “off your game” and keep you from fulfilling your dream and destiny is the weapon of discouragement.
Howard Henricks, an honored and much-loved professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, once described discouragement as follows:
“Discouragement is the anesthetic the devil uses on a person just before he reaches in and carves out his heart.” —Howard Hendricks
Podcaster and business leader extraordinaire, Ed Mylett once said that,
“Discouragement is a weapon that the weak use against the strong so that the strong don’t prevail.”
Both Hendricks and Mylett understand:
You’re never really defeated until you’re defeated on the inside.
The word discouragement means, “to suck the courage out” — “to draw and drain the courage out.” It means, “to lose courage.”
But to encourage, on the other hand, means “to breathe courage into.”
Fear and discouragement are like twin evil stepsisters. They usually work in tandem.
This is probably why God often includes a “heads up” to avoid both and then gives us a promise about how we can rise to that challenge. Check out Isaiah 41:10 and Joshua 1:9.
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
—Isaiah 41:10 NLT
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
—Joshua 1:9 NIV
There are five things I need to remember every time I fear and discouragement attempt to knock me off my game, steal my dreams, and keep me from my destiny.
- I’m surrendered and submitted.
“I am your GOD.” He’s God, I’m not.
In other words, “Chris, you’re not calling the shots, I am. As long as you remain surrendered and submitted to me, I’ll never lead you where my grace, presence and power can’t sustain you.”
- I’m strong.
Don’t misunderstand. My success doesn’t depend on my strength and ability, it depends on HIS. God has said, “I will strengthen you…” HE always brings HIS STRENGTH to my fight. And, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
- I’m surrounded.
Underline the phrase, “[I will] HELP you…” (Isaiah 41:10). The word “help” literally means “to surround or protect.”
“It may look like I’m surrounded, but I’m surrounded by HIM.”
- I’m secure and stable.
“I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
Imagine it: I’m being held by the same strong hands that created the universe. You are, too!
- I’m supported and sustained.
“…the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go…”
God’s remedy for my fear and discouragement and yours is…GOD!
His solution is HIS PRESENCE.
It’s remembering WHOSE we are and WHO we are.
We belong to Him.
I belong to Him!
You belong to Him!
HE has made us HIS dear children.
Let that reality BREATHE COURAGE into you!
You are not alone!
You are:
- Surrendered and submitted
- Strong
- Surrounded
- Secure and Stable, and,
- Supported and Sustained.
You and God have got this!