Dealing with Discouragement

Scripture:

“These are the nations the Lord left to test all those Israelites who had not experienced any of the wars in Canaan (He did this only to teach warfare to the descendants of the Israelites who had not had previous battle experience).” Judges 3:1-2 (NIV)

Observation:

God intentionally left some battles for the next generation. He didn’t clear the way for them completely. Why? To teach them. To train them. God knew they needed experience, not just comfort. He allowed challenges to strengthen and build them.

Application:

Sometimes we think, if God is with us, life should be easy, but this verse shows us the opposite. God will leave certain battles in front of us on purpose; not to harm us, but to grow us.

I realize, when I face fears, hard days, or uncertainty, my feelings try to run the show. I feel like backing down (and many times, I have). I feel like quitting; like God should have cleared the obstacles. But, Pastor Julius reminded us this past Sunday: Principles over feelings. The principle here is that God teaches us through the fight. My feelings might say, “I can’t do this,” but God’s Word says, “you’re in this battle to learn, to build, to grow.” He is developing the warrior in all of us.

Just like Israel, I’m learning that overcoming fear isn’t about waiting for it to go away; it’s about stepping forward in faith through the fear. Fear is the feeling. Obedience is the principle.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for loving me enough to let me face battles. When my feelings try to tell me otherwise, help me remember that You are strengthening me through the fight. I choose to follow Your principles over my feelings today. Teach me, train me, and grow me into who You’ve called me to be. In Jesus’ name, Amen.