Ephesians 3:20 

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”
• DAILY READING      Jude 1; Ezra 9-10; Psalm 95
In 1833, a 24-year-old Midwestern lawyer named Abraham Lincoln met the love of his life, a beautiful 18 year old girl named Ann Rutledge. The two became engaged, and planned their life together. But soon after, Ann became severely ill and died of a “fever” of unknown origin. As a result of her death, Abraham suffered a nervous breakdown. He suffered such deep depression that his friends thought it wise to keep all knives and razors from him. 

Yet, apart from the heartbreak, as he ventured into other endeavors, he was met severally with failure. He twice failed in business and when he went into politics, he lost eight elections. However having been raised by Christian parents, Abraham learned to draw strength from God’s Word. It is said that his favorite book of the Bible was the book of Job. And despite the failures and discouragements he faced, he did eventually recover and went on to become one of America’s most-loved presidents. He could have quit many times – but he didn’t and because he didn’t quit, he eventually won. 

Everyone, even the most gifted and strongest of  men, often face  discouragement. Discouraging situations will tend to arise, especially when you are making progress in life. When you read the psalms of King David, whom God called “a man after His own heart,” you know that David was susceptible to discouragement.

In 1 Samuel 30, David faced discouragement, when he returned to his home in Ziklag and discovered that the Amalekites, had attacked. It was most especially discouraging to find that even his own men unjustly blamed him. Imagine how he felt as he sat among the ruins of Ziklag and listened to his men talk of stoning him. David could have allowed  grief and bitterness to send him into depression, but rather he decided to ‘encourage himself in the Lord his God.’

When he sought The Lord, he received strength and divine direction to pursue after the Amalekites. And indeed God helped him to defeat the Amalekites and recover all. 

Whatever you are faced with today, learn to encourage yourself in The Lord. Refuse to exalt the negative circumstance, but rather exalt your God. Don’t analyze your trouble with a magnifying glass, this will only lead to deeper discouragement. Rather magnify The Lord and His ability to deliver. Speak of His greatness, His power, and His might. Talk about how big and powerful God is. When you make God bigger, you make your troubles smaller. Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” 

Indeed the power of God is at work within us. Through study of the scriptures, The Holy Spirit fills us with the  joy of The Lord that becomes our strength.  Therefore, it doesn’t matter the giants you may face today, through Christ you are more than a conqueror! You can overcome every obstacle, you can climb every mountain, and you can get out of every valley. You don’t have to be discouraged or defeated. You’re not a victim. You’re a victor. Indeed through Christ, you are an overcomer!
PRAYER Lord please grant me fresh appetite for Your Word so that I can draw the strength I need to always overcome discouragement.  Indeed by Your grace, I am a winner over every negative circumstance in Jesus Name.   

QUOTE  

When you apply The Word of God, it will work for you, anywhere and anytime- WORDBITE 222. 

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK FAITH CLASSICS]