Discouragement...I hate feeling discouraged, hopeless, useless, powerless, etc. It's very frustrating for this control freak! However, I realize that in this battle, like all the others, I'm powerless. That sometimes makes me feel discouraged. I know that God hears my prayers. I know that He's all powerful and that I have nothing to fear or worry about. He's ultimately in control although He doesn't control people. He leaves our choices up to us. Sometimes that's not such a good thing, but that's the way He created us.
So what do we do in discouraging times? Well, we find something encouraging to read, watch, or listen to. A few weeks ago, I watched the most encouraging thing I've ever seen (as far as the area of SSA is concerned). There was a conference held in Georgia called Amazing Love Event. (I'll post the link below.) It's a group, and a rather large group at that, of people who have come out of the homosexual lifestyle. Talk about encouraging!! Isn't that what we're waiting for? For our children/loved ones to truly come out into freedom that only Christ can give? I was so encouraged by the ones that spoke. I actually know a few of the people who spoke. I know a couple personally then I've chatted with a few on Facebook. Their stories are simply amazing! Some had been in the lifestyle for a short time, but others had been in it for a very long time. Either way, it's encouraging!
When we're discouraged and distracted by what we see and hear around us, when society seems to be against us and for "them", when we feel we can't take another breath, when circumstances look impossible, be encouraged. We need to be like David in these times. The Bible says that he encouraged himself in the Lord. (...but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. 1 Samuel 30:6.)
I heard a song today that was really encouraging too. It's become one of my favorites lately. It's called Come Alive (Dry Bones) by Lauren Daigle. It's my prayer, as I'm sure it's yours too.
"Come Alive (Dry Bones)"
Through the eyes of men it seems
There's so much we have lost
As we look down the road
Where all the prodigals have walked
One by one
The enemy has whispered lies
And led them off as slaves
But we know that you are God
Yours is the victory
We know there is more to come
That we may not yet see
So with the faith you've given us
We'll step into the valley unafraid, yeah
As we call out to dry bones
Come alive, come alive
We call out to dead hearts
Come alive, come alive
Up out of the ashes
Let us see an army rise
We call out to dry bones, come alive
God of endless mercy
God of unrelenting love
Rescue every daughter
Bring us back the wayward son
And By your spirit breathe upon them
Show the world that you alone can save
You alone can save
As we call out to dry bones
Come alive, come alive
We call out to dead hearts
Come alive, come alive
Up out of the ashes
Let us see an army rise
We call out to dry bones come alive
So breathe, oh breath of God
Now breathe, oh breath of God
Breathe, oh breath of God
Now breathe
Breathe, oh breath of God
Now breathe, oh breath of God
Breathe, oh breath of God, now breathe
As we call out to dry bones
Come alive, come alive
We call out to dead hearts
Come alive, come alive
Up out of the ashes
Let us see an army rise
We call out to dry bones come alive, yeah
We call out to dry bones, come alive
Oh come alive
Be Blessed Friends! Trust God and Be Encouraged!
So what do we do in discouraging times? Well, we find something encouraging to read, watch, or listen to. A few weeks ago, I watched the most encouraging thing I've ever seen (as far as the area of SSA is concerned). There was a conference held in Georgia called Amazing Love Event. (I'll post the link below.) It's a group, and a rather large group at that, of people who have come out of the homosexual lifestyle. Talk about encouraging!! Isn't that what we're waiting for? For our children/loved ones to truly come out into freedom that only Christ can give? I was so encouraged by the ones that spoke. I actually know a few of the people who spoke. I know a couple personally then I've chatted with a few on Facebook. Their stories are simply amazing! Some had been in the lifestyle for a short time, but others had been in it for a very long time. Either way, it's encouraging!
When we're discouraged and distracted by what we see and hear around us, when society seems to be against us and for "them", when we feel we can't take another breath, when circumstances look impossible, be encouraged. We need to be like David in these times. The Bible says that he encouraged himself in the Lord. (...but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. 1 Samuel 30:6.)
I heard a song today that was really encouraging too. It's become one of my favorites lately. It's called Come Alive (Dry Bones) by Lauren Daigle. It's my prayer, as I'm sure it's yours too.
"Come Alive (Dry Bones)"
Through the eyes of men it seems
There's so much we have lost
As we look down the road
Where all the prodigals have walked
One by one
The enemy has whispered lies
And led them off as slaves
But we know that you are God
Yours is the victory
We know there is more to come
That we may not yet see
So with the faith you've given us
We'll step into the valley unafraid, yeah
As we call out to dry bones
Come alive, come alive
We call out to dead hearts
Come alive, come alive
Up out of the ashes
Let us see an army rise
We call out to dry bones, come alive
God of endless mercy
God of unrelenting love
Rescue every daughter
Bring us back the wayward son
And By your spirit breathe upon them
Show the world that you alone can save
You alone can save
As we call out to dry bones
Come alive, come alive
We call out to dead hearts
Come alive, come alive
Up out of the ashes
Let us see an army rise
We call out to dry bones come alive
So breathe, oh breath of God
Now breathe, oh breath of God
Breathe, oh breath of God
Now breathe
Breathe, oh breath of God
Now breathe, oh breath of God
Breathe, oh breath of God, now breathe
As we call out to dry bones
Come alive, come alive
We call out to dead hearts
Come alive, come alive
Up out of the ashes
Let us see an army rise
We call out to dry bones come alive, yeah
We call out to dry bones, come alive
Oh come alive
Be Blessed Friends! Trust God and Be Encouraged!