OVERCOMING DISCOURAGEMENT

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“While he himself went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. I have had enough, LORD, he said. Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”

1 Kings 19:4

The prayer that Elijah makes here to God really impacts me. The one who said, “Send your fire, that the people know it is You God” (1 Kings 18:37), was the same person who also said, “Take my life, I cannot continue.” Was this prayer coming from his spirit, his emotions, or because of the situation? Elijah is not the only one who feels like that. This has also happened to leaders, men or women of God who upon feeling intimidated fall into depression. The only thing that can lift us up from that situation is the supernatural touch of God.

Sometimes one single touch is not enough. The angel touched Elijah twice. The prophet had fallen into depression and he needed a touch more powerful than the ones he had already received and experienced to date. God blessed him and strengthened him. He received the Word but then he fell asleep. That is how he ended up in this situation. We, too, can hear the Word given by God, and receive it, but we can fall asleep, just like Elijah did. When this happens, we don’t make progress, rather we remain in that place of anxiety and despondency.

The angel came a second time and said, “Wake up, a long journey awaits you.” It was decision time! Either remain asleep, or march on to fulfill the divine purpose. You can receive the word God gives you, and stay immobile; or you can receive the word, get up, and continue marching on. No one can ever choose for you.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
Thomas Edison, inventor of the incandescent light bulb, who after over one thousand attempts at his invention still had not achieve a working light bulb, was asked by a colleague: “Why do you insist on working on this invention when you have already failed one thousand times?” Edison answered by explaining that they were not failed attempts, simply one thousand more ways it shouldn’t be done. What heights could you have reached if only you had persevered?

Elijah got up and kept walking when he had the choice not to. He knew that there was a price to pay and so he walked through the desert for forty days and forty nights without eating. It was worth it in the end because as a result God worked on him, formed his character, and set him free from all oppression.

TODAY’S DECLARATION
“I have strengthened myself in God thought the Cross, and I can advance and conquer in faith.”

Today’s post is an excerpt from Pastor Cesar Castellanos’ book, Declarations of Power for 365 Days of the Year: Volume Two.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING

    • Old Testament: 1 Kings 13-14; Psalms 119:65-72
    • New Testament: Luke 3:1-20; Ephesians 4:25-32

OVERCOMING DISCOURAGEMENT