"The Abiding One" -2

 "And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him." (John 1:32 KJV)

  "You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny." (Psalm 73:24 NLT) 

  If I could find a way to keep feeling sure, I might have something worth giving away, maybe even a best selling book, or the answer to what many of God's servants look for, time after time, dealing with what is commonly called, discouragement. They say, discouragement is the most powerful tool that the devil has in his toolbox; greater than guilt, more powerful than jealousy; even more sinister than deception.

  In short, discouragement is what leads to hopelessness, which is that one thing that causes many strong and faithful warriors to give up and to look for a way out. Unlike deception, which is pretty much a slight-of-hand, being discouraged is something that more personal and based upon how a person might feel. To make something that is so intangible as feelings ruin your day, is a lot like thinking about something that you could have said, or should not have said; it is that untouchable, because it has passed and cannot be taken back.

  You cannot believe that is what you are, based upon how or what you could have been; even the strongest of God's children can get sidetracked by focusing on things that they cannot change or imagining things that don't even exist. Paul gives us a little secret to getting through these times, saying, "Not as though I had attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend, that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12 KJV) 

  The whole point in that, is to make something else intangible more important than what you might feel! Take that which you know to be true, yet not attained, and go after it, earnestly and passionately; not because it is something that you can do, but because it is something God is doing in you. Feelings are just distractions from what is sure and never changes; if you base how to love upon how you feel, then that kind of love is not sure and always changes. 

  The best way to overcome discouragement is to find some courage! I find the best source of courage is found in that which I know without a doubt has already overcome...

"But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness towards us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:4-7 NLT)