Have you ever felt flat out discouraged…just ready to throw in the towel and walk away once and for all from the frustration of never reaching success?

How many times have you felt as if all your efforts were simply just meaningless…pointless?

Discouragement, at some point, affects us all. I can’t think of a time that discouragement did not try to make its attempt to get me to just quit.

The word DISCOURAGE means: to cause (someone) to lose confidence or enthusiasm. To deprive of courage or confidence. To hinder by disfavoring. To dissuade or attempt to dissuade from doing something.

As I read through each definition, I started thinking of all the times I felt discouraged, ready to quit and just give up. And all along, no one had said a word to me. It was simply me and my thoughts. The enemy was discouraging me from pursuing the visions God had placed in my heart. And each time a negative thought came to mind, I believed in the lies the enemy was feeding into my thoughts. Fear set in. Fear of Failure. Ridicule. Rejection. Self-doubt. Insecurity.

Discouragement also came after seeing I wasn’t making progress or things, life, wasn’t going the way I had planned. I wasn’t seeing the result I wanted so, of course, I would get frustrated and discouraged.

So, how do we overcome and Defeat Discouragement?

In the book of Joshua, Joshua was handed the task to complete what Moses had begun. And when God spoke to Joshua, he repeatedly assured Joshua with encouraging words. Words that spoke positivity into Joshua’s spirit. Words that resonated with me. A reminder that no matter how bad life gets, God is always there to see me through that season. Throughout the Bible, we read words of encouragement. God knew life would have moments of difficulty. And every disciple knew of the challenges to be faced. And when Jesus spoke, he spoke with encouragement.

What you feed grows. If you feed yourself discouraging thoughts, you in essence begin to grow fear, insecurity, negativity, and self-doubt. But if you feed your mind encouraging thoughts, you begin to grow a more positive attitude. A courageous bold attitude.

“In my moment of self-doubt, God gives me
the reassurance that renews my confidence.”

Know that there will always come a time that discouragement will creep from around the corner, poking its head where it doesn’t belong. But the moment you take hold of those affirming words of encouragement, the whole spectrum changes. Your mindset is renewed with a new hope.

I’ve listed 5 Practical Ways To Stay Encouraged.  Start by writing down the scriptures I’ve provided below and the opening scripture.  Write down the quote above and post it where you can see it daily.  Be encouraged through these scriptures.  Write yourself encouraging notes and put them on your desk or even create a journal with them.  Something that you can reach for when you need some encouragement.

5 PRACTICAL WAYS TO STAY ENCOURAGED

• Be CONFIDENT and trust that God is not about to start letting you down now.
Psalm 4:5 says, “I lie down and sleep, I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.”
• Be STRONG and know that God turns those weaknesses into strength when we surrender our circumstances to Him.
Psalm 18:32 says, “It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.”
Psalm 31:24 says, “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”
• Be ENCOURAGING with others. The words you speak matter. Know this! Believe this! When you speak to others with a tone of discouragement, constantly complaining, those around you begin feeling the weight of your words.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
• Be FEARLESS and ready to take on new challenges. Don’t allow those challenges to overcome you.
Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
• Be at PEACE and see that although you may face difficult circumstances, it too shall pass. There is no circumstance that exceeds God’s greatness.
John 16:33 says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY OF DEFEATING DISCOURAGEMENT…link below.

Defeating Discouragement

XOXO…Ileen

psst…God Loves You