Many of my friends are walking through tough circumstances right now. One man’s business has failed. Another is experiencing chronic pain, and doctors can’t find a medical solution. Another is battling an addiction. One married couple I know is struggling with infertility. And several friends believe they have failed as parents because their adult children have walked away from God.
Meanwhile, even many pastors are experiencing discouragement. Some of my pastor friends have even considered leaving the ministry because they feel like failures.
Breaking News. Spirit-Filled Stories. Subscribe to Charisma on YouTube now!
My message to them is straightforward: “Don’t even think about quitting!” If a cloud of heaviness has settled over you recently, don’t let this keep you from fulfilling your mission. Take these steps to regain your strength:
Go to your secret place often. What did David do when he felt as if he were sinking in a pit of depression? He took refuge in God’s presence. David said in Psalm 55:16 (NASB 1995): “As for me, I shall call upon God, and the Lord will save me. Evening and morning and at noon, I will complain and murmur, and He will hear my voice.” David found the best therapy in the act of honest worship. He poured out his soul to God and placed his trust in Him alone. He knew God would rescue him.
Don’t let Satan’s constant assaults wear you down. Pray hard, sing loud and pray again. Pray until you hear a refreshing word from God that will override the enemy’s lies. Sing until the darkness lifts. When the breakthrough comes, the joy of the Lord will spring up from the wells of salvation. The heavy clouds of discouragement will dissipate. You will resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Find your fellow warriors. Our spiritual battles are best not faced alone. I pity the lonely person who has no friends in the day of battle. David had 37 “mighty men” (2 Sam. 23:8) who fought beside him, and they loved him so much they risked their lives to protect him.
Thank you for visiting CharismaNews.com. To enjoy the rest of this CharismaNews post, please visit this link.
Join Charisma Magazine Online to follow everything the Holy Spirit is doing around the world!
