How To Take Down Discouragement
Discouragement is a stronghold the enemy uses perpetually on God’s children. It comes hand-in-hand with his modus operation to steal, kill, and destroy! He is a thief, and he is a liar. However, our destiny is not locked into discouragement; our destiny is locked into courage and God’s promises!
1. Victory Comes From God
“David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.”
1 Samuel 30:6
In this scripture, David and his men had returned from battle and found their town had been raided and their children, their wives, and their possessions gone. They were casting blame on their leader David and he was greatly distressed because his family and possessions were also gone and now his men were turning against him.
However, David turned to God and strengthened and encouraged himself in the Lord his God. No matter what we go through, no matter what test or trial the enemy sends our way, we have the ability to strengthen and encourage ourselves in the Lord our God!
2. Repeated Encounters in God’s Presence
“In the shelter of your presence you hide them from all human intrigues; you keep them safe in your dwelling from accusing tongues.”
Psalms 31:20
The enemy will use people to bring us discouragement, bring up our past, and speak against us–accusing tongues. The accusing tongue of the enemy will even attack our mind with intent of discouragement. However, there is fullness of joy in the presence of God, safety, and refuge from all accusing tongues!
When we run to His presence, all the assaults of the enemy are lifted, and all the lies are washed away along with discouragement. Even the pressure from all the overwhelming responsibilities that we carry through our days are lifted in His presence. It is in His presence where He takes us higher and above all the pressures of life.
3. Untouchable
“One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.”
Psalm 27:4-6
When we dwell in the house of the Lord, in His presence, we are untouchable from our enemies. We don’t just visit, but we are to dwell there. It must become our lifestyle. When we first come to the altar of salvation, we are carrying many emotions from the chaos of the world and rebellion. However; because of our salvation, we now have the freedom to come into His presence and cast ALL of our cares upon Him.
God wants us to live in His presence no matter where we are, no matter what we are doing–He is with us. If we are going to accomplish great things for His Kingdom, we need continual encounters with the presence of God. If we hang out with God, we are going to become like Him, think like Him, walk like Him, prosper, and be victorious like Him.
4. Spiritual Warfare
The enemy is afraid when we enter into God’s presence. This is why he sends all kinds of distractions to keep us from being in His presence. He knows it is in God’s presence we will find out who we truly are, and where all his lies will be washed away. This is where we will take down the discouragement he has worked so hard to bring into our lives! This is where we become invisible and untouchable to the enemy!
Final Thoughts
When we come into the presence of God, we become untouchable.
Our days of shame are over when we dwell in the presence of God.
If we want to take down discouragement, we must get into the presence of God.
