In 2014, my friend, Jermaine Nelson, shared a quote from me that he had heard from someone else. The quote said, “discouragement is the anvil the devil uses to hammer out the spiritual enthusiasm of God’s people.”

 

If this is the case, then, like David, we must always find ways to encourage ourselves in the Lord (1 Sam. 30:6). In Romans 8:26-39, the apostle Paul leaves us with these five powerful reasons why we should never be discouraged.

 

Five Powerful Reasons

 

 

In his book, It Happens After Prayer, HB Charles Jr. says “that there are a lot of things you can do to fix your situation after you pray, but there is nothing you can do to truly fix your situation until you pray.” Paul lets us know that these prayer lines are always open. Not only are they always available, but whenever we are stuck and unsure of how to pray, the Spirit of God comes to our rescue and prays for us (8:26). This is reason enough not to be discouraged.

 

 

We should never be discouraged because no matter how difficult your situation seems, in the grand scheme of things, for those who love God and remain in His will, all circumstances will end up working out in your favor (8:28).

 

 

Paul tells us that God has already made a pre-determined plan for us to be glorified (8:30). Glorification is our future destination after Jesus returns, where we will be completely free from all the limitations of sin – physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. We should never be discouraged because in so far as we accept God’s plan for our lives, this blessing is already ours.

 

 

Sometimes we feel like the patriarch Jacob, who, when hearing his son Benjamin might be taken from him, cried out, “everything is against me” (Gen. 42:36). Granted, when nothing positive seems to be going our way, it may seem like that’s the case. However, what Jacob forgot is that when circumstances seemed to be against him, God was never against him. God was for him. Therefore, unbeknown to Jacob, everything was working out to benefit him. This is why we should never be discouraged. God is working out situations in the background, in the rear alleys, in the secret rooms, and in the private chambers to benefit you. He is for you, don’t turn against him.

 

 

This is the ultimate reason never to be discouraged. Nothing can stop God from having your best interest at heart, whether earthly or cosmic threats (8:35-39). Think of his love like a wall. The wall always remains steadfast; you can choose your distance in relation to it. I hope that you stay close.

 

REMAIN ENCOURAGED TODAY!