Three Men and a Lady

Frustration seems to be a reoccurring theme in my life lately. Every compartment and aspect of my existence is experiencing complexities. I feel like the old cliche' is ringing true..when it rains, it pours. Family, work, ministry and life in general are giving me a run for my money. For me, frustration readily breeds discouragement. I suppose for those with an optimistic outlook, frustration does not easily derail or defuse their course. But, for a pessimist like myself, discouragement stalks me and threatens to completely distract me. I have even recognized it as of late, to be the thorn in my spiritual flesh as Paul describes in Corinthians. I wish I knew better coping skills when frustration presents itself.

One of the students and I are reading through Philippians together, the book of joy. I don't think it is by coincidence that we decided to start with this book for our accountability journey. I am praying that as I read this book God will speak to me and loving give me some guidance on how to fight this spiritual and emotional battle of discouragement.

Here are a few things that I need to remind myself of when a downpour of "yuckiness" occurs..

1) First and foremost this life is temporary...my eternity is secure and it is glorious!

2) Jesus knows every hurt and emotion that I am feeling, and He can not only identify with it, but He has himself overcome it. He is therefore sympathetic with my burdens, and asks to carry them for me. What a friend.

3) If I give the enemy an inch, he'll take that proverbial mile. Scripture says he prowls around like a lion looking for someone to devour, and when I wallow in self pity and discouragement, I am advertising myself to be that "someone" for him to attack. I'm giving the enemy an open door.

4) I have to keep myself saturated in God's word. My heart is tempted to believe the garbage that my mind is saying, but I have to tell my heart what God says instead. God's word is the source of all Truth, and it possesses the power to penetrate my heart and speak words of life and love.

5) Jesus came to give me life and life to it's fullest. To live life any other way would be a disservice to the man who died so that I could have an abundance of joy.

6) When I gave my life to Jesus in November of 1994 (my junior year of High School), I literally said these words to Him "I have decided to follow you, and there will be no turning back." Yes, I borrowed the line from an old song, but for me, it's been an anthem that God has etched in my heart. No matter what, I will fight the good fight of faith that Paul speaks of, and because of the strength that Jesus gives me, I am resolved to not only finish, but finish well.