Does this scenario fit you? Everything seems to have gone wrong lately. Your job is shaky, your health isn't great, your family has problems, and your finances-well, let's just say you bank account has acute anemia. You can relate to the person who prayed, "Lord, if there's any more trouble coming, send it know while I'm used to it!"
What do your circumstances tell you? That there's no hope. right? But the apostle Paul said, "You are looking only on the surface of things" (2 Corinthians 10:7).
"What do you mean, Paul? The facts are pretty plain-I'm in deep trouble!"
Yes you are, and you are discouraged. But you may be overlooking the weapon God has given you to fight discouragement. It's the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. (Ephesians 6:17)
Sometimes we get so discouraged that we don't hold of God's promises. When Moses told the Israelites that the God was going to deliver them from the Egyptian slavery, "they did not listen to him because of their discouragement" (Exodus 6:9). When depressed, we don't hear God's whispered promises of help.
But God's promises are true no matter how we feel. "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged" (Deuteronomy 31:8).
God's promises are the weapons. He has given us to fight discouragement and renew hope. Search them out in Scripture. In faith, set your mind on His promises today. God will meet you.
