Rally My Soul

Psalm 43: 5, "Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again-my savior and My God! " (NLT).

I've been in a funk the past couple weeks. I've struggled to write and post on The Fervent Life.

Part of it's because I'm just coming out of a weary season. Part of it's because I just feel tired.

Part of it's because the burdens of my friends have been weighing heavily on my heart.

Whatever the reason, somewhere along the way I started to lose my gusto for writing; for the ministry God's placed on my heart. And once I found myself in that slump I started asking myself "Is God really using any of it? Is it really worth it?"

Discouragement is the number one reason why people quit.

So how do we as Christians overcome discouragement? Well, I don't have all the answers--and I think there are many things that can help depending on the situation--but recently God has led me to take a cue from the psalmists.

First I have to ask myself: why am I discouraged? Am I afraid of failure? Am I afraid no one will care about the words I write? Am I afraid this ministry will look tiny and pathetic compared to others? Am I afraid of being without purpose? Is my worth wrapped up in my desire for purpose?

After God leads me to the roots of my discouragement I must confront the lies and fears. I must remind myself that my hope for everything- my identity, my worth, my purpose, my dignity, my passion, my ministry- is found and determined by God and God alone.

All that I long for is satisfied in Him, and my relationship with Him through Christ.

Lastly, I must choose to rally my soul. Ephesians 6:16 says to "hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil." (NLT).

When the battle seems like it's raged on forever. When our muscles are burning from the strain; and our bodies feel fatigued; we must choose to exert our will and lift up the shield of faith once again. We must choose to trust that the God who gave us the shield will bring us to victory.

Isaiah 40:30-31, "Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" (NIV)

Hebrews 6:19-20 "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever..." (NIV).