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"Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way." Numbers 21:4
Satan's number one line of attack is to bring you to a place of emotional discouragement. He sets up situations and circumstances that cause frustration and disappointment to come to you. When you have goals, he puts obstacles in your path to bring hindrances and delays. Things get hard: hard to read your bible, hard to pray, hard to pay attention to the Word of God, and hard to be motivated. You feel lackadaisical or have an "I don't care" attitude. The devil causes you to lose courage.
The devil brings the pressure of discouragement knowing that it will eventually turn to frustatation. His goal is to keep you frustated because anger follows frustration. The bible says, that " the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God". Anger will give you the inclination to fix it. Revenge sets in, and in this state you will say things that are better left unsaid. When you are angry, you begin to ride a wave of emotion that will carry you to a place that you do not want to go. Satan tries to get you to hurry up and make some decisions. Because you are so emotional, you aren't really thinking and you start going off on people.
The devil sometimes will move you in a slightly different direction. He gets you depressed. Depression is sometimes anger held inside. "Where there is no vision, the people cast off restrain: But happy is he who keeps the law." Proverbs 29:18 The devil's plan is to wear you out. Why does he want to do this to you? The answer is that he actually hates you. Satan wants to steal your vision. He paints a dark picture and makes it look as if your vision can never be realized. He magnifies to you the reasons why God's vision for you cannot happen. Proverbs 13:12 states "hope deferred makes the heart sick". Your vision is your hope, and when your heart is sick, you have no joy, no gladness, and no strength. When you have no strength, you lay down. You stop your forward progress. The enemy's plan is to bring confusion. Understand that your vision gives you purpose, and it sets your course. It also gives you direction.
God's solution to discouragement is encouragement. The Word of God is your treasure. The Word is your encouragement. It is important that you continue to study and hear the Word. The Word is a light to your path and a lamp to your feet (Psa. 119:105). When the Lord opens heaven over you, He sends a now word, and a benefit word. Know that the words God spoke to Joshua were meant for us as well.
"Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:7-9
God gives you faith in the face of overwhelming circumstances. Our encouragement comes through the Word. God tells you to take care, and step where He tells you to step. God sets your boundaries with the Word, and you must move within those boundaries. If you will keep your eyes on what God has said to you, no matter what comes your way, you will have a good and prosperous journey. Don't tell God no. Don't get off course. Don't let anyone offend you. Because if you get offended, you will get off-ended (your end will be off).
God's word must govern your every utterance. Meditate day and night. Be strong and of good courage, but most of all don't be afraid. When you get scared, you fall. Fear attracts warfare. Keep your vision on the Word of God. When you don't know what to do, have peace. God is not the author of confusion; He is the author of peace. Be at rest and the answer will come to you in time. Remember to be anxious for nothing.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace......." Galatians 5:22
This article was written by Wilma J. Wofford, editor.
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