To
be encouraged is to be filled with courage. We do not buckle under the weight
of circumstances when we have courage, especially when that courage comes to us
through God's Spirit within us.
As
we continually set the Lord in the forefront of our thoughts, we will not be
shaken, because He is near us and in us (Psalm 16:8).
Even if fear or anxiety trouble us for some reason, we can keep our faith in
His faithfulness (Psalm 56:3).
We
trust Him and His Word, which gives us serenity in this sin-cursed world. There
is nothing anyone can do to us that He is not capable of turning around for our
ultimate good (Psalm 56:4; Romans 8:28).
God's
Word is full of assurances, which give us peace, even in the direst of
circumstances. We can be encouraged because Jesus already overcame the world,
and He abides within us (John 16:33).
There
is no need to feel anxiety about anything, because in every circumstance we can
pray, cast our cares on God, and live in gratitude for all He already did for
us (Philippians 4:6).
His
peace, which overcomes every anxious thought, guards our heart and mind in
Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). He floods our soul with His peace, which goes far
beyond
human reasoning (Philippians 4:8).
It
is not fleeting, circumstantial peace or peace we derive from things of this
world, but peace that abides in us and eliminates all fear and discouragement
regardless of our life issues (John 14:27).
God
is our eternal hiding place and He protects us in times of trouble as He walks
through it in us and with us. He floods our mind with worship songs to praise
Him, so that we remain victorious
each step of the way (Psalm 32:7-8).
Prayer:
Father God, hardships, turmoil,
sleeplessness, deprivation, abuse, financial ruin, etc. touch everyone at some
point in time. These external pressures add to our other worries about our family
and the world around us (2 Corinthians 11:27-28). Yet, when we cry to You for help, You hear us
and rescue us from all of our troubles (Psalm 34:17).
Remind us that if we allow our
sinful nature to control our thoughts and emotions and physical desires, we
will destroy our self; but if we allow Your Spirit to control us, You will lead
us into life and peace now and throughout eternity (Romans 8:6).
Thought for the Day:
We have no need to be overwhelmed
by life, because the Lord goes before us and leads us, and He will never fail
or forsake us.- Deuteronomy 31:8
