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I watched the screen, excited for the young girl headed out into the open waters of the ocean, on the adventure of her life. She was full of dreams, and passion. Nothing could hold her back now, or so she thought. She had almost made it passed the barrier reef that the waves crashed upon, when she was suddenly blindsided and overtaken by a wave.
The wave pushed her down toward the ocean floor and she was all turned around. Which way was up toward the surface? With every second, my heart beat faster as she struggled to get to the surface to gasp for air.
Only to then be tossed and turned and pummeled by wave after wave. Nothing she did seemed to help, until all of sudden she broke free and seemed to be able to gain her bearing and swim to shallower water where she gained her footing and breathed. Deep, gasping, cleansing breathes, just happy to be able to breathe without being pushed around, forced under, or wondering which direction was up.
I sat there on the edge of the couch, feeling what this character on the TV screen was feeling. It was as if I was right there in the water with her. Gasping for air.
Have you ever felt like you were drowning in the activities of life?
As I sat staring ahead in quiet contemplation, at the scene I had just watched. I tried to calm my racing heart, no words to say, just BIG …. Deep …. breaths.
Lately life has been tossing, turning, and pummeling me, just like the ocean waves, in the scene I had just watched. I was looking forward toward the possibilities of things to come on the horizon. I was excited, even anticipating a possible new adventure, and then just like that … whack!
Out of nowhere, one event, and then another, and another. Before I knew it I was being tossed into a battle of emotional wave after wave hitting me harder, knocking me down, spinning me around, and discouraging me.
The first event was our beloved retired pastor passing from his battle with cancer. He was our mentor, a spiritual father, our friend, our wise counsel, and a board member for my ministry.
The second event, another mentor, spiritual father, longtime friend, wise counsel, and another board member for my minister had landed in the hospital, and was not doing well.
Other events that followed, just added to the emotional roller coaster. I felt like a failure, running away, hiding, or quitting all together. I began to second guess the calling on my life and my ministry.
Despair and discouragement seemed to be twin bad boys knocking me around for more than a week, until one morning as I was in the shower getting ready for church. It was then the Lord whispered to my heart and said, “You are in a spiritual battle, are you ready to rally the troops?”
I paused and thought about what He was saying and realized that the enemy was coming at me from all sides, and I wasn’t even aware of it, until I was gasping for air.
Tuesday, on my video blog, I shared a word picture the Lord had given me about a month ago before all this craziness began. I shared how we often times can feel as if we are in a tug of war with the enemy, and that we are losing ground. Yet, when God is on our side, our rope is anchored to Him, assuring us of a victory.
(click on the picture below to watch the video and read what I shared).
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If you feel despair and discouragement gang up on you, then try these 4 steps to overcome them.
1. People are not to be our anchor. Jesus is.
Parents, friends, close mentors, and spiritual parents are a gift from God to give us wise counsel and lend support. However, they were never meant to take the place of Jesus in our life. Jesus should be the first place we run to, not people. Cry out to God and He will answer! Run to Him, Seek Him, and Trust Him.
2. Rally the Troops.
Set aside our pride and ask for prayer. Reach out for prayer and support from those around you. The enemy wants us isolated and feeling alone, but when we share where we are at with others, we allow them to step into our lives and we are no longer alone.
3. Confess & Repent
Stop believing the lies the enemy has been whispering to you. No longer give power to the enemy of your soul by believing his lies. When we bring the fears, lies, and issues into the light, it takes the power away from the enemy and silences his voice. Confess you wrongly believed the lies. Repent and ask God for the truth about the situation.
4. Proclaim
Grab a hold of the Spiritual truths and promises God has spoken to you. Now proclaim, these truths out loud over your life and situation. Allow God to move on your behalf.
As I contemplated God’s gentle whisper to my heart, I didn’t hesitate. Sure, I might be a little late for church, but I needed to rally the troops!
I grabbed my phone and texted my friends. I confessed I had been believing the enemy’s whispers and I asked for prayer. I later confessed to my husband the wild crazy lies, I was believing. I confessed my worst fears to God, repented for allowing people and things be the thing I turned to and for not having faith. I repented for entertaining the enemy’s lies and asked Jesus to speak truth to my heart.
I then asked Him for Scriptural Truths. I asked Him to remind me of His promises and plan for my life, and then I began speaking them out loud over my life and situation.
We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain (Hebrews 6:19 ESV).
When the waves come and crash around us, Jesus is the anchor that will keep us safe. He is the anchor that will not be moved. He is the anchor that gives us hope to face tomorrow.
*(Disclaimer – You may need to repeat the above steps often, to get out from under discouragement. However, I do know that these 4 things have helped me in time to overcome situations when I have been discouraged, disillusioned, or even in despair. I by no means am saying these are easy and your done. However, if you are consistent and steadfast in these things: running to Jesus, anchoring yourself to Him, renouncing the lies, surrounding yourself with individuals who will encourage and support you, and finally speaking out the truth of God’s Word over your situation, you will notice a change! Discouragement will lessen more and more until it eventually is completely lifted.)
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Balancing the Warrior & the Princess We’re Called to Be
Trusting God When it Seems Illogical
Will You Sit with Me? (Jesus is Calling.)
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SO good to be reminded that amidst the tossing waves, Jesus anchors me — such a great post!
Hebrews 6.19 HOPE IS MY ANCHOR. Yes,Lord. Debbie, the comments section is acting weird. I think this is going to look like a reply to my Maine buddy Michele Morin
Susan – you are so right – it did look like a reply to Michele’s comment – huh .. technology – can’t seem to figure it out and yet I can’t live without it… ugh … LOL I thought you might like the Hebrews 6:19 scripture 🙂 Blessings and thanks for creating the badge for me as well.
Thank you Michele – sometimes it seems we all need reminded of the things that we already know. Thanks for linking up today.
I think I know what movie you’re referring to because I recently saw it a couple of times. 🙂 Your post is so encouraging and the steps for overcoming discouragement are right on! Thanks for the reminder that Jesus is our anchor – not people, not things – just Jesus.
Many blessings to you, Debbie!
Gayl – I am sure you do know what movie it is 🙂 LOL I just love how God will take a movie and speak a spiritual message to my heart. Thank you so much for linking up today and talking the time to leave me a comment, I really love getting them . You are welcome for the reminder, I figured if I needed to be reminded, it just might mean someone else might need it too. Blessings
If it were this simple we’d all be discouragement free all the time. Sometimes these 4 steps take an eternity. The key is to rely on Jesus and be in the Word. He will give us what we need when we need it and help us to get through.
I hope I don’t sound harsh – but when I’m discouraged it’s never a simple thing to overcome it. On my part, I need awareness, strength, and encouragement.
I do appreciate the encouragement here, though.
Nysle – I didn’t take what you said as harsh at all – and you are right, sometimes the discouragement flees in an instant and sometimes, it is a day by day, step by step, moment by moment process. Believe me, I completely understand what you are saying…being a pastor and in full time ministry for many years, I have walked with people through the ups, downs, and in be-tweens. I have known this to be true in my own life as well. Thus Key #1 – Jesus is our anchor – He is the only one we can rely on all the time. And as for being in the Word, yep, agree again – how else are you going to be able to know His promises for you and proclaim them over your life and situation if you are not in the Word.
I view these 4 steps as things we can look to and implement as we are taking it one day at a time. I by no means meant to imply this was an easy thing – no not at all. I am sorry if you got that impression. But I do believe the things you mentioned in your comment, are covered within the 4 points. Encouragement comes in many forms, usually by people surrounding us, standing with us, and speaking God’s truth to us…. Which gives us strength to face the next minute becasue we are no longer alone. I am glad to have you link up here today, and thank you for sharing your thoughts as well.
Blessings to you!
PS… I have added a disclaimer above as well… thanks for the insight Nysle 🙂
I am praying for you.
God bless.
Thank you Victor. Your prayers are appreciated and thank you for linking your post up today!
Debbie, each one of these steps will surely be a step to overcoming discouragement. Each one so good!
Joanne – thank you so much, yes, step by step, I have found these 4 things to be important elements in helping me to overcome discouragement in my own life. Thanks for linking up today
I kind of needed this. I screwed at work big time and was lied to by the so-called admin team. Let’s just when I told them that honesty and integrity and that they don’t value ethical behavior instead of challenging me, they hung their heads in shame and in the two weeks since they have really been avoiding me. Sad but true. So, I have been feeling discouraged lately.
Thanks for hosting and thanks for posting this.
Patrick – I am so glad that this helped you out today. I am praying for you and the discouragement to leave that has been hanging around since this incident. Thanks for linking up today, and taking time to leave me a comment as well.
Dear Debbie,
This is so good–to hold onto HIM as our anchor! All the time I was reading your encouraging words,I kept thinking of the song by Molly Kate Skaggs, “Anchor.” So I have it playing in the background now! I will keep you in my prayers, Dear Sister!
Oh, I think I know that song, but I am not totally certain – I will have to look it up. Thanks Bettie, for the song and for your prayers. I greatly appreciate them!
Such good pieces of advice. We all have times we are prone to discouragement and need to remind ourselves of the truths that Jesus gives us.
Lisa – yes, we all do fall prey to the discouragement bug… sometimes worse than other times. The truths Jesus gives us are so very important to keep in front of us. Thanks for commenting and for linking up.
I can so relate to this!! Thank you for sharing your story, and these steps to help us overcome.
Heather – I am glad you could relate, but also sad cause that means you have been in the same place as I am in now and that stinks… I am very happy to share my story especially if it helps others to overcome what they are going through. Thank you so much stopping in and leaving a comment
The truth does set us free, doesn’t it! Thanks for reminding us of these truths, especially that it’s Jesus we must depend on! Thanks for hosting, Debbie.
Amen Donna – I couldnt agree more – the truth will, does and shall set us free. thank you for taking a moment to comment and linkup!
Great reminders when life seems to be too much. When I have trouble sleeping because of all of that “stuff” I visualize stuffing my woes into a box and wrapping it as a pretty package and giving it to Jesus, who gladly takes it. And then I drift off to contended sleep.
Thanks for sharing your insights with us every week on #FridayFrivolity
Audrey – that is a great visual picture you paint! I love that – stuff all your woes into a package and giving it to Jesus – and of course He gladly accepts it – such a great idea to help combat the sleepless nights – way better than counting sheep for sure. I usually pray and say, Lord, I trust you – I am giving this to you .. but I like the idea of putting it all in a box and giving it to him.. I am gonna try this the next time I have stuff that is keeping me from sleeping. Blessings.
Thank you for these encouraging reminders of how to not let discouragement take us down.
The Lord truly has provided so many ways for us to be triumphant in Him.
Oh Karen,you are most welcome. I think it is always food to have a reminder close by when discouragement comes. I appreciate your taking the time to comment. 🙂
Thank you for freely sharing what God has been accomplishing in your life. Praise Him that He reminded you of what was really going on and of what to do about it! 🙂
Ruth – I am very grateful that God is faithful to remind us of the truth and show us exactly what is going on. He is definitely full of wisdom and redirecting me or pointing me in the direction I need to go.
Debbie- What a great post and such helpful tips. I’ve copied them down for the next time discouragement comes a-knockin:)
I didn’t know you had a linkup either, I will try and join on Thursdays!
Thanks for the encouragement!
Thank you Julie! I am so glad you found the tips to be helpful and I am glad they will help you when you may need them… hopefully discouragement won’t come knocking anytime soon though. I am so glad you will be joining us for the linkup on Thursday – I look forward to seeing you then, and thank you for stopping in today.
Yes, God is our anchor. We have been through many trials/crises. I find I do pretty well through them because I know I can’t do it on my strength. However, I found myself lately not in a trial and very tired. I realized I had let go of the prayer support I had become to rely on in crises. We still need prayer support and all of the steps you so beautifully wrote about all of our days or else discouragement will set in. Thank you for the reminder.
Maree – I am so glad that you do well through trials/crisis.. that is a great thing, and does speak to your trust and confidence in God. I can see how prayer support or leaning on others could definitely be a crutch or a hindrance to our own personal growth and prayer life. I have learned, that God wants me to come to Him and rely on Him, more than going to others for prayer and support, not that I can’ ask for prayer support or prayers, but that He needs to be where I anchor myself too and not others. I am so glad you stopped in today and thank you for your encouragement and commenting.
Thank you for this encouraging post! All the steps are so good and such a good reminder. Thank you for linking up at the Friday at the Fire Station link-up!
jen – you are most welcome- I was excited to find your blog and linkup. I see you just started out too and I think it’s so important that we support one another. Blessings. I will be adding you to my weekly linkup rotation. 🙂
This was such an inspiring post to start out my week. I really need to remember Jesus is truly my anchor. Thanks for joining us again at the #LMMLinkup this past week.
Mary, I am so glad this gave you the encouragement you needed to start your week. Thanks for stopping in to comment today and yes, we both can remember that Jesus is our anchor! Blessings
Oh Debbie my heart so felt yours in this. We lost a pastor last fall and then one thing after another seemed to keep us down. God is faithful though and praising Him or helping others seems to get my head out of the fog. I am sorry for your losses. I have doubted myself before too. I pray God helps you even more in the trenches so you have clarity. You are a light! Keep up the faith friend.
Thank you Meg for the timely encouragement. It means a lot to me and I am so very grateful for your words. I am sorry you had to go through some of the same last fall. It has been tough, but I am praising Him through it all. Keeping busy, writing, and ministering to others, plus all the Easter outreach and service prep has been helping to keep me focused on other things, for sure. Blessings to you. and thanks again.