You are under a constant barage to lose hope in Christ. You are being tempted all the time to lose hope and give up. The enemy tries to sow discouragement in you. One of the most powerful attacks by Satan is to get you to “lose your heart.”
After Joshua and Caleb returned from the promised land telling of all the bounty awaiting the people of God, the other scouts only told of the dangers and threats. The Israelites looked at themselves and felt discouraged. So the Israelites wouldn’t and couldn’t enter the Promised Land (Numbers 32). But God told Joshua, “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).
When you are being discouraged by delays, disappointments, disabilities, and difficulties, when you are being drained of your hope, consider who is draining you of hope. The prince of this world is seeking to steal your hope. Even strong men cannot fight well when they lose heart.
So what is the antidote?
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)
God Himself is our antedote to discouragement The LORD is with us wherever we go. Jesus comes to support and encourage us. He breathes hope into us when we are feeling bruised and fading.
“A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,
till he has brought justice through to victory.
In his name the nations will put their hope.” (Mt 12:20–21, ISa 42:3-4).
In his name we put our hope. There is no greater discouragement than being put to death. Yet Christ has defeated sin, death and the devil in the cross. And the risen Christ has overcome all that discourages.
So when you feel discouraged and at the end of yourself, call out to Christ and remember that he abides in you and he is greater than the one who is in the world.
Take this blessing:
May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened so that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints and his incomparably great power for us who believe. (Eph 1:18-19)
Out of the Kiddie Pool 
Leave a Reply