Hope is Available

This morning after we worshiped virtually with our Katy First Baptist family, Marlon and I talked to the LORD specifically for the  discouraged.  Discouragement is to exist without the light of hope in view.  I understand this emotional place of existence.  As a young Christian, and at the time a young mother I recall my only reality was where I was in the moment.  "My reality" at the moment was all there was, NOW!  I couldn't see an ending to my situation and with each day the darkness of  my circumstance choked me.  I didn't even experience the joy of my precious children. I needed hope, but as a young Christian I was not told where to find it.  

Marlon and I prayed for those who are blinded by the discouragement in Covid19 Life.

We had to go were hope is found.  The Lord brought to mind those in Scripture who lived in circumstances where discouragement could have swallowed them.  They, instead, chose to look to the LORD in faith and live to strangle the emotions that wanted to choke them.  We discussed Daniel, a man captive.  His entire life was taken from him, in slavery to the King of Babylon.  In all his ways he had to adopt the lifestyle of his captives.  BUT, his chose not to give up his faith in The God of Israel.  He would not let his captivity break his spirit. He even challenged areas where his captives would demand he defile himself against his God.  Daniel could have allowed discouragement to make him think, "Oh what the heck!  I will never be free."  Or, "it's just too hard to trust that God could make something good out of this situation.  If God really loved me, why would I be in slavery?"  But he chose to deny his flesh and give glory to God. This was through 3 Nations that held him captive during his lifetime.

What about Joseph?  Unfairly sold into slavery by his brothers; falsely accused by a women of rape; thrown into prison and forgotten by a man he aided in his freedom.  Life would have been unfair and God would have appeared not to be so good.  Yet, Joseph chose to continue to give God glory no matter his circumstance.  He did give facts about his situation, but there was no complaining or anger toward God.  

These two stories would read differently if both these men in horrible circumstances chose to live their lives in discouragement.  We must remember, emotions are unable to think, they are led by our thinking.  They latch onto the thoughts we hold onto in our minds. As thoughts pass through, the one we put the brakes on and mull over will dictate our emotional condition.  If we think on the worst of circumstances without a Godly perspective, hopelessness sets in.  If we hide God's word all in our thinking, and with every concern, we offer our emotions God's truth, we will see through the eyes of hope.  This is how joy is made complete through the most horrible of situations.  It is also how peace surpassing understanding is given to us from God.  Our thinking is important, Philippians 4:8

I am on a mission to bog us down with Psalm 34. I pray that many will take the challenge.  My hope is while memorizing, our discouragement, depression, possible despair will be lifted with the hope of God's power in the Living Word.  It won't take away the cares of this time in our history, but it will get us through it.

Declare like Joseph but ours is of this virus, "you intended to harm me, but God intended it for good..."  The context is different, the understanding will set free from discouragement.