A life full of courage in midst of life's perils and problems is indeed needed for a successful living. People who get discouraged seeing their circumstances never reach their destination. But even great people are in certain times, bound to discouragement. The Prophet Elijah's life-incident proves this fact. "Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "May the gods punish me and do so severely if I don't make your life like the life of one of them by this time tomorrow. Then Elijah became afraid and immediately ran for his life. When he came to Beer-Sheba that belonged to Judah, he left his servant there, but he went on a day's journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. He said, "[I have had] enough! Lord, take my life, for I'm no better than my fathers." (1 Kings 19:1-4 HCSB). It is not compulsory that saints and children of God are always brave and bold. It is human nature to feel fear during threats. Now, when a child of God feels discouraged, God Himself plays the role of strengthening His child. He doesn't abandon him halfway. God doesn't need people who do not need the Lord's strength and encouragement but He desires those who humbly appeal for His grace and strengthening. This fact leads us to yet another amazing truth: The cause of success is courage and courage is given by the Lord.
Those who are happy in the Lord are those who get His strengthening and thus live an undaunted life. According to mere human wisdom, to be ever-happy, man needs to be courageous before life's difficult situations. But according to the Christian way of living it is the happiness and solace found in the Lord that helps a man to be courageous in his endeavours. When a child of God feels threatened, he doesn't need to run here and there for safety, but God himself comforts him miraculously and reminds to him His promises in the Bible and the ways by which God lead him thus far. The Holy Spirit works in his heart and mind and ensures him that God is already dealing with his problems and He has a purpose and plan for him, a purpose even through the problem or threat he is currently facing. Every thing that occurs in a believer's life is pre-planned by the Lord Almighty. It all happens because He wants us to come out as pure gold from the fiery furnace of tests and trials. We may feel that we are broken completely, but we must assume that God is in the process of moulding and making us according to His concern for us. Isn't this enough to make us find happiness in the Lord and thus live an undaunted life?
The next powerful truth is that God not only encourages us, but also provides a solution for us beforehand, makes all arrangements for us that we face our situations courageously and even walks with us in our path to victory. "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it." (1 Cor. 10:13 HCSB). What a profound promise of God! What a great love and concern of the Lord God Almighty! The reading and meditating of the Bible allows the Bible to speak to us which enables us to feel God's presence. This spiritual and supernatural experience leads our hearts to complete rejoicing in Christ. If you feel you are discouraged and there is no one to help you, just develop the habit of daily Bible meditation. Read it during good as well as bad times. You will get your daily strength and rejuvenate yourself. The common-to-man daily worries will not bother you on the day you have read your Bible passage. To whom does God provide a way of escape? Only to those who are willing to pass through the temptation. Those who fear and move back, those who start blaming God are of no use in the spiritual arena.
Friend, how is your life today? Are you living a victorious life by finding joy in the Lord and thus boldly and undauntedly facing all problems in life through the strength and grace given by the Lord and through His speaking from His Word, the Bible? Happiness in the Lord does not need to delete all problems, but it surely deletes our fear and anxiety. "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." (1 Pet. 5:7 NIV) "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6, 7 NIV). "---- I will always be with you; I will never abandon you. Be determined and confident. Remember that I have commanded you to be determined and confident! Don't be afraid or discouraged, for I, the Lord your God, am with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:5, 6 & 9 TEV). "Fear thou not, for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." (Isa. 41:10 KJV). "Be strong, be courageous, all you that hope in the Lord." (Psa. 31:24 TEV) "You that are righteous, be glad and rejoice because of what the Lord has done. You that obey Him, shout for joy!" (Psa. 32:11 TEV). "The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry. The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. The Lord redeemeth the soul of His servants: and none of them that trust in Him shall be desolate." (Psa. 34: 15, 17-19 & 22 KJV). "Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in Me." (John 14:1 KJV) "These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 KJV). "---And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matt. 28:20 HCSB). "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." (Matt 5:4 NIV). "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." (Lam. 3:22, 23 NIV).
All the above promises of God are for the sake of us to find immense strength and happiness in the Lord. When we follow the precepts of man, we get discouraged soon. But when we grow spiritually by feeling His presence by daily reading His word, we find strength and happiness in the Lord which is the root cause of an undaunted heart. Leading a life as such will enable individuals to live boldly with daily victory. May God bless you.
Friend, how is your life today? Are you living a victorious life by finding joy in the Lord and thus boldly and undauntedly facing all problems in life through the strength and grace given by the Lord and through His speaking from His Word, the Bible? Happiness in the Lord does not need to delete all problems, but it surely deletes our fear and anxiety. "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." (1 Pet. 5:7 NIV) "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6, 7 NIV). "---- I will always be with you; I will never abandon you. Be determined and confident. Remember that I have commanded you to be determined and confident! Don't be afraid or discouraged, for I, the Lord your God, am with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:5, 6 & 9 TEV). "Fear thou not, for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." (Isa. 41:10 KJV). "Be strong, be courageous, all you that hope in the Lord." (Psa. 31:24 TEV) "You that are righteous, be glad and rejoice because of what the Lord has done. You that obey Him, shout for joy!" (Psa. 32:11 TEV). "The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry. The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. The Lord redeemeth the soul of His servants: and none of them that trust in Him shall be desolate." (Psa. 34: 15, 17-19 & 22 KJV). "Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in Me." (John 14:1 KJV) "These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 KJV). "---And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matt. 28:20 HCSB). "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." (Matt 5:4 NIV). "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." (Lam. 3:22, 23 NIV).
All the above promises of God are for the sake of us to find immense strength and happiness in the Lord. When we follow the precepts of man, we get discouraged soon. But when we grow spiritually by feeling His presence by daily reading His word, we find strength and happiness in the Lord which is the root cause of an undaunted heart. Leading a life as such will enable individuals to live boldly with daily victory. May God bless you.
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