The Cloud of Discouragement - by Billy Graham

In this blog, I said that I would publish things for encouragement on the path of life.  Forgive me for neglecting to post for a long time.  But I think we will be making progress on this blog from here onward.  Maybe?  Lord willing?

Here is a good excerpt from a good daily devotional book - Unto the Hills - by Billy Graham.

THE CLOUD OF DISCOURAGEMENT

 

-          By Billy Graham

 

May the God if steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus. Romans 15:5, RSV

 

THE root of discouragement is unbelie£ Consider what discourages you. You are not making enough money (you are not convinced that God can and will supply all of your needs); you are frustrated in your job (you have refused to believe that you can be content in whatever state you are in); you are worried about health problems (Is not God the great physician? Did He not make your body and know how every cell functions? Can He not heal you when and if He wishes?)

Discouragement is a large cloud that, like all clouds, obscures the warmth and joy of the sun. In the case of spiritual discouragement the Son of God, the Lord Jesus, is eclipsed in our lives. Discouragement is Satan's device to thwart the work of God in our lives. Discouragement blinds our eyes to the mercy of God and makes us perceive only the unfavorable circumstances.

There is only one way to dispel discouragement, and it is not in our own strength or ingenuity. The Bible says, "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart wait, I say, on the LORD" (psalm 27:14).

I have never met a person who spent time in daily prayer and in the study of God's Word and who was strong in the faith who was ever discouraged for very long. You cannot be discouraged if you are close to the One who gives all hope and plenty to be

 

From Unto the Hills, A Daily Devotional – Billy Graham,  published by W Publishing Group, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc.