Fighting Discouragement: 7 Scriptures On Joy (Free Printable)

 

 

It’s my “word” for the year.

Honestly, I’m not sure if I chose it because I kept seeing Pinterest images during Christmas with this word cleverly placed on mantels or doorposts or wreaths. But I gravitated to it. Something deep inside felt a twinge when I’d place my eyes on it, and so, that is how I chose “joy” for my one word for 2017. Not very spiritual.

What do you do with your one word, if you choose one? I admit, I don’t do much with mine except pray for the Lord to reveal more about it in my life and hope that it will manifest itself (if it’s a good one.) Yet, this year, I want to do more than hope for joy, I want to dig down deep to discover supernatural joy that reaches beyond circumstances. I want to understand it better and glean whatever God has for me in this word.

The other day, a good friend was telling me how the Lord whispered in her ear, “Be lighthearted.”

Her advice from the Lord spoke to me too because it’s been a week of doubt and discouragement. Joy has been hiding in the shadows, and the slimy deceiver has been working overtime in my brain even though I know better than to listen. But there’s always a little truth mixed in with the lie that makes it so hard to ignore.

I know better than to entertain these thoughts, but I also know I shouldn’t eat a whole bag of potato chips.

And so like Eve I was tempted this week. My temptation wasn’t to eat the apple or the bag of potato chips (because we didn’t have one in the pantry) but my temptation was to indulge in discouragement. 

Discouragement is dangerous my friends.

That’s why God told Joshua not to get discouraged! It takes away our drive, our hope, our energy, our purpose. Discouragement makes us want to quit. But we’re not going to let it!

The truth is, just because I don’t  feel good about today, and discouragement maybe threatening my resolve, and joy may seem so far away, tomorrow will bring new mercies.

New help.

New hope.

New perspective.

Sometimes I just need sleep.

Sometimes I need to recover from fighting a cold. (Which I did this week.)

And sometimes I just need a new perspective like what I find when I go for a walk or sit at the ocean or call a friend.

I always feel better when I know I’m not the only one fighting negative thoughts–the struggle is real my friends!!

I counsel others that when the struggle is great, the enemy is worried and doing all he can to shut. us. down! We’re onto him. We know his tactics. They’re getting old, amen!?

So, though this week could look like a defeat,  I’m going to take this week as a win for the team.

Rather than being upset that I was discouraged, I’m going to see it as a sign that I must be doing something that the enemy doesn’t like. He must be threatened by the Jesus in me just as he is threatened by the Jesus in you, and your prayers for others, and your gifts and talents that you are using for the Kingdom.

Oh for eyes to see what we’re doing for God with eternal perspective! For eyes to see His economy as He views it not with our world’s vision.

[bctt tweet=”Oh for eyes to see what we’re doing for God with eternal perspective!” username=”wordsbyandylee”]

Let’s choose to be lighthearted my friends. Let’s choose to not take the negative thoughts in our heads so seriously.

Let’s choose joy.

If you’ve been struggling with discouragement lately, here’s seven verses on joy to lift your spirits. If you are doing hunky-dory, joyful at the moment, you might want to download this printable too for a rainy day when discouragement threatens your resolve.

 

Here they are:

 

• The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. Psalm 28:7

• Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

• Those the Lord has rescued will return.They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. Isaiah 51:11

• . . . and provide for those who grieve in Zion– to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61:3

• . . . fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

• To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—  to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. Jude 24,25

• May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13   (Download the printable here.)
  

Oh my, somebody say, Hallelujah! To God be the glory! Take that you slimy discouragement! The Joy of the Lord, that amazing fruit of the Spirit, is our strength!

I’m so glad you stopped by.

Digging Deep to Live Fully!

Andy