Trading disCOURAGEment for COURAGE

I have a friend that I have known for some time.  He is one of those friends that at times you see him a lot and then you may go for months without seeing him.  The interesting thing is that even after months of not speaking, once you do see each other, it’s like you spoke just yesterday.  The problem with this friend however, is that it is all about him.  Always!  I seriously doubt that he even thinks about what I need or what I might hope to get out of the friendship.  It seems that I am the one who always thinks about him and tries to keep the friendship alive.  Simply put, he is selfish.  His name is Discouragement.

Discouragement is never far away.  It may have been months since you have seen him but you can rest assured he is right around the corner.  If you want him to show up, just start dreaming big, start thinking progress, start making plans to improve yourself, or make plans to step out of your comfort zone and do something new and challenging.  As soon as you do, he’ll show up, and when he does he will remind you of all the reasons you cannot accomplish what you have set your mind to do.

2013 is one of those years for me.  You know the kind I’m talking about.  2013 is one of those years that God has made it clear that I need to push.  I need to push as a leader, as a pastor, and toward some personal goals.  It’s easy to get fired up.  It is easy to dream big.  But, when you start actually making plans to push forward, guess who will show up?  You got it, our old friend Discouragement.

At the beginning of this year God gave me a verse.  This is the verse that I will cling to as I seek to push for new goals, new boundaries, and new levels.  Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  Every time Discouragement shows up this year I’m going to let him know that things are not going to work out.  I will go spend time with the Lord and allow the Lord to remind me what a liar Discouragement is.  I will let the Lord remind me why the things Discouragement has to say simply aren’t true.

So, if your COURAGE has been taken away by disCOURAGEment, then run to the Lord for enCOURAGEment, and do not look back.  Do not let Discouragement steal the courage it will take to reach your goals and ambitions.