7.18.18 Praise & Prayer Prompt: Discouragement

PRAISE & PRAYER PROMPT ••• Everyone has a battle.
A personal Everest they face every day.
Some days, we’re full of energy and ready to chip away at that mountain.
Other days, we are exhausted, slumped in a heap at the foot of it.
Part of the landscape we navigate when trying to climb our mountain is discouragement.
I recently read somewhere that “Discouragement is the enemy’s favorite tool.”
And y’all, I believe it.
My own personal mountain is one I love very much.
And I pray regularly about it.
Some days, I’m filled with hope.
And on others, I’m filled with discouragement.
And those are the days that Satan loves.
I hate giving him that satisfaction.
Thankfully, I have great friends who remind me of Who is preparing me for any mountain I face.
We’ve all seen the quote, “Don’t tell God how big your mountain is; tell the mountain how big your God is.”
I love this quote because 1) it’s true.
While we should certainly pray to God about our mountain, He already knows about it and He’s definitely not intimidated by it.
And 2) the process of telling the mountain about your faith in God is so empowering.
It makes the thorns and thistles of disappointment whither away.
I love the passage from Joshua 1:9 that says, “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Beyond the promise direct from God to Joshua, Joshua was a fighter.
He was a man of action and integrity.
He was filled with faith in God.
When others saw obstacles, he believed in the power of God and was courageous enough to say, “What are you talking about? God will give us victory!”
And yet, he needed God to remind him not to be discouraged.
And if a mighty man of God like Joshua needed that reminder, I can be encouraged that it’s okay for me to need that reminder too.
Today, as you pray, thank God for being the ultimate encourager!
Ask the Holy Spirit to keep you from tripping over the thorns of discouragement and stay focused on God’s power.