In Need of Encouragement?

I realize today that I'm a bit discouraged...okay, maybe a lot discouraged...about how far away my dreams are from becoming reality, and about how messed up the world is today. I'm sure I will feel better about this in a couple of weeks (the next time I hit a goal or feel that I've made significant progress, or after hanging out with some friends), but for now I can only soldier on and wait for God's strength to get me through.

You know, God commanded Joshua not to be discouraged, even while he was wandering around in the desert and there was trouble on the horizon.  However, God wasn't just giving Joshua an empty pep talk or asking him to do something beyond his human power.  Joshua's source of strength through the discouraging times was God Himself; it was God who was going to hold him up through all the storms ahead.  In this situation, the Bible records God's words to Joshua, so that they would be a source of strength for the rest of us, as well:

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9 NIV)

 I don't know what is causing discouragement for you today, but I thought I might remind you of some older posts where I talked about specific kinds of discouragement.  Maybe re-reading one of these (or perhaps discovering it for the first time) will help you.  Just remember, because we know the Lord, and because we know He is with us, we don't have to be discouraged, even in the midst of...

• Rejection for our Christian Faith-- "Suffering with Christ"
• Pressing Worries-- "Choked by the Weeds"
• Crushed Hopes--"Let Nothing Move You"
• An Uncertain Future-- "The Grand Scheme of Things"
• Supernatural Attack--"Satan is Still Not a Myth"
• Repeated Failure--"Have Faith to Cast the Net One More Time"
• Being Passed Over for a Promotion, Honor, or Award--"Breadcrumbs"
• Financial Hardship--"Our Daily Bread"
• Death and Personal Loss--"Diamonds in the Deepest Deep"

Be encouraged today, everyone! God is pulling us through the hardest of times, and He is refining us and building our character. Hold on, and He will hold on to you!