Dealing with Discouragement
In both the August 2 and August 9 sermons, I mentioned that for the believer discouragement is not primarily an emotional issue but a faith or spiritual issue

Some additional thoughts:
Discouragement is the direct result of realizing that the severity of our circumstance is greater than our personal resources. But followers and believers of Jesus do not depend on personal resources, but on the power of Christ who lives in us. Because of what Jesus did through the cross and resurrection, we are not only forgiven for our past failures, but also receive the gift of the Holy Spirit which enables us to experience the presence of God within us now.

Below are four statements of faith that every discouraged follower and believer of Jesus needs to remember and repeat at least once each day.

• I am limited, but God is unlimited
• God is present with me now.
• I accept by faith God’s presence in my life.
• Because God is present with me I can and will do whatever God leads me to do today.

Just saying these words will not magically lift the cloud of discouragement, but by believing them and acting on them you will take steps toward the encouraged and encouraging life.