How to deal with discouragement

 

a pretty, little leaf on my dirty garden hand

It is hard to not give in to discouragement.

This sinful world we live in works against the spirit who lives inside us.

The world will never win, let's be clear on that!

It's a weird situation, but so natural at the same time.

God lives in me.

I am not my own.

Yet, I have autonomy in regards to my actions and reactions.

I am human.

I am saved.

But still just as capable of sin as everyone else.

I have the comforter with me.

Yet I am still suseptible to despair and discouragement.

I need to be more aware in each little moment of sitting back, breathing, and letting go.

I don't have to do everything, know everything, solve everything.

I just need to lean on my comforter and let His spirit envelope me like a warm, soft blanket.

I need to use this season of joyful colors in nature to really and truely feel the joy of the Lord!

I've been walking more on the path out in our woods (I have a half mile loop)  It's been a rainy summer and the green moss has created a beautiful carpet on the path.  I think because we raked the whole path last fall.  It's so peaceful.

terror

God's promises
they are hidden in plain view
no matter how the nations rage
and the world descends into turmoil

God. has. this.

my reading this morning
matthew 21:33-46
parable of the evil farmers

it spoke to me
in this time of trying to make sense
of terror attacks

it told me that we should never back down in proclaiming

that Jesus Christ is the Cornerstone.

of our nation, of our church, of our lives.

it promises me that all who "stumble" on this cornerstone WILL BE brought to ruin.

i can say what i believe no other way.

Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to God and the Kingdom of God belongs only to those who trust in Jesus.