From Discouraged to Encouraged

19 Comments

In October, I battled a bit of depression in general and discouragement over my career as an author in particular. A number of things played into those negative feelings, including having to put my almost 14-year-old cat to sleep. I got Pinky as part of my breast cancer recovery (I wanted some “new life” in the house during treatment so got a kitten). Losing her hurt, especially since it was sudden.

I have a cup-half-full personality, so any down emotions tend to catch me by surprise.

On top of everything else, it didn’t seem like I was seeing any answers to my prayers. So I told God how I was feeling, and soon after it “just so happened” that my daily Bible reading took me to John 11. I’ve been using the same study Bible for over 25 years. The words are highlighted and underlined, and there are notes in the margins throughout those two-thousand-plus pages. That was true in John 11, too.

In verse 22, Martha, speaking to Jesus after the death of Lazarus, says, “Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give to You.” On 1/8/2015, I wrote in the margin, Even when it seems too late, it’s too soon to give up. Keep praying!

Let me repeat that: EVEN WHEN IT SEEMS TOO LATE, IT IS TOO SOON TO GIVE UP!! It is too soon to give up on those situations in our lives that are wearing us down. It is too soon to give up because resurrection may be just moments away.

A few days later, “it just so happened” that the first verse in my daily reading was Luke 18:1 which says, “Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not become discouraged” (emphasis mine). I couldn’t help smiling when I read that. Because God was definitely speaking to my exact need. And how do we keep from becoming discouraged? Praise Him. Praise Him often—morning, noon, and night.

Finally, the Sunday sermon that same week was in Judges 7. This is where God has Gideon pare down his army, from about 32,000 to a mere 300. Then the enemy is defeated because they fight among themselves, leaving little for the 300 to do. There were many points in the sermon, of course, but the one that I knew God meant for me was this: God knows more ways to win battles than I do.

Ah, yes. The battle is the Lord’s. My part is to pray and not become discouraged because the answer (resurrection) may be just moments away. It is too soon to give up! Praise God!

Perhaps these three words I received from the Lord will be as encouraging to you as they were to me.

~robin

19 Comments

  2. Wow, did I need to hear this today! I am dealing with a physical condition that has me slowed down. I am not used to this even though I am 84 years old 🤦‍♀️
    We are confident that we can face anything in our spiritual walk until something comes along out of our control.
    I will be rereading all the scriptures you mentioned and as always praising my God.
    Thank you!❤️
    Linda

  3. I love your encouraging emails and faith filled wonderful books. My sister enjoys reading them also. It’s been great to share your emails with her and also for her to get your specials along with me.
    Have a great weekend and keep up the faith.
    Merla Newbold

  5. There are no “it just so happened” in a believers life. And when we are at our lowest, that is when “it so happened”. I know. It so happens many times in my life. Just 2 days ago, my neighbor was at my house crying her eyes out about her husband phyiscally abusing her. She has no place to go to get away from him. He has threaten her if she leaves him. Not 15 minutes after she leaves, I turn the tv on for the news and there is a story about domestic abuse and how to get the help needed to get away. It “just so happened” to be exactly what she needed.

  6. Dear dear Robin,

    Thank you for being real and transparent.
    This is timely for me. October was a tough month for me as well, as a single widow, a writer, moving to a new place, and so much more.
    Still, I keep getting in various ways, “Do you trust Me?” I do trust The Three even when . . .
    Although sometimes I need reminders (like yours) that I belong completely to Him and His voice is the one I need to listen to.
    He sees things I cannot see and knows things I do not know, which is very good for me. Faith is trusting when I cannot see.
    So, I continue to write the new series He is giving me even though I don’t have a clue what He will do with it. Doesn’t really matter. He has called me to be obedient and write and today I joyfully obey.
    Abundant blessings my friend,
    Anne Watson

  7. Thank you so much for sharing this. It was an encouragement to me today. My family members all have chronic health issues. We pray often but still have not seen the answers/help we hope for. It’s tempting just to give up at times and accept that nothing will ever change or get better. I receive your timely word. I will press in and keep the faith with God’s help. God bless you.

  8. I appreciated your insights on how God is at work even when we don’t see how! And that its never too late – God is a God of the impossible.

    Your new book looks fun – the cover is great. It would be neat to win it in the giveaway, but even if I don’t, I hope to read it.

  11. Thank you. I love to read, but I’m old school I guess, I prefer having a real book (paperback) in my hands though it would be much cheaper for me if I’d learn to prefer Kindle or on-line! I read close to a book a day as a general rule. Especially this last year with a knee replacement that came loose and I finally got that redone 3 weeks ago and I’m doing great from that, but my other knee is really bad so still have problems and I haven’t been able to do all the decorating, etc that I normally do now or this last year and couldn’t do yard work etc so haven’t been a happy camper and I’m 73 yrs old. With my work I don’t think I can have the other knee done for 12 months due to the short term disability rules. Thanks for your books and for adding me to your blog.

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