Is there an area of your life where you have lost hope due to discouragement? Has your discouragement caused you to stop moving forward?

The moments I sense God’s presence often come in unexpected ways, but the time I most often hear His still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12; John 10:27) is when I am face down on the carpet in my little apartment. There is something about pulling away from noisy distractions and focusing on Him that allows us to receive truths that we often miss during the bustle of the day.

During one quiet moment with Him, I bowed my head and heart to listen and see what He might say. Grief weighed heavy on me.  Frankly speaking, the phrase “Hope deferred makes the heart sick” (Proverbs 13:12) resonated with me. I had all but decided that there was no way that God was going to resurrect a dream that I believed He had placed in my heart. I was certain it had died.

And then came that quiet, inaudible whisper in the form of a question, Do you still believe that all things are possible [that this dream that has died can live]?

Honestly, in my unbelief and discouragement I said, “Well, Lord, no I don’t.”

Then you don’t believe in my resurrection power.

Just as I have experienced many times before, He drew me in with a question and lovingly pierced me with truth that made my heart come alive.

Ah, yes. That is true, Lord. Forgive me for abandoning hope. With you all things are truly possible (Matthew 19:26).

When we give up the hope that things can change because we are discouraged, we stop believing that the same resurrection power that raised Christ (Romans 8:11) can raise our lives. This power brings marriages back from the dead, revives broken businesses, and breathes life into weary spirits.

When we abandon hope, it is the ultimate form of unbelief. When we stop expecting from God, we will stop partnering with Him to accomplish good works and we will stop pressing past obstacles.

Our Adversary wants to steal all good things that God has promised (John 10:10), including hope. But Jesus has come to give us hope leading to internal abundant life.

The warrior who fights for the blessings God has promised, and battles to keep the ground God has granted, stands alert with the Sword of the Spirit—which is the Word of God—ready. But the defeated and discouraged soldier lets his gaze drop, his shoulders slump, and his Weapon fall. It’s then that the ground God has given him can be lost—all because he lost hope and therefore, he lost the will to fight.

We must bolster ourselves with hope that comes from the faith that God can resurrect even the worst and most hopeless situations. Because there is resurrection power that lives in us (Romans 8:11) and is available to us through Christ, there is always hope!

Questions for Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you have lost hope due to discouragement? Has your discouragement caused you to stop moving forward?

Digging Deeper: Look up Habbakuk 3:17-18. What is the commitment of the author and what are his circumstances? What does his attitude tell about what He believes about God?

Put It Into Action: Write a letter to the Lord and tell Him that you trust Him and that you are committed to hopeful expectation because all things are possible in Him no matter your circumstances.