Fighting Discouragement

 Matthew 20:29-30 (NLT) As Jesus and the disciples left the town of Jericho, a large crowd followed behind.  Two blind men were sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was coming that way, they began shouting, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

 


The two blind men heard Jesus was coming!  Their response?  They shout!  They yell!  They scream!  They are LOUD!  Then it happens—crowd opinion:  Matthew 20:31 (NLT) Be quiet!” the crowd yelled at them. But they only shouted louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”   The crowd yells back to them, ‘Calm down guys!’  But they refused to be discouraged.  They shout all the louder!

 

‘Discouragement is an evil foe that will bind your present using your past and your future.  To be discouraged you need to willfully open your heart to that spirit.  In so doing you reject the cross that God wills for you in your present moment.  Discouragement is kindred to self-pity which carries the heart into the past or the future. NEVER give in to discouragement, lack of trust, or impatience… they drag you into the past, or cause you to live in the future… neither of which will help you live at peace with the now (Adapted).’ 

 

Fight discouragement with your present faith.  Don’t trust discouragement as it is a feeling—an afflictive emotion that will take you out of the arms of Jesus and put you into your past or into your future.  You have the present—the right now-- and in faith believe that what you are facing God knew, knows, and has a plan for your peace.  Trust God—it will defeat your discouragement!

 

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