If there is one emotion that grows like a weed in the Western world of ministry, it is certainly the creeper known as "discouragement."

So many women in ministry, myself included, find it extremely easy to become discouraged over low attendance, rampant criticism and disinterest in planned programs. When discouragement threatens to choke all healthy growth in the garden of my heart, I must remind my weary soul not to listen to myself but to talk to myself.

 For every discouraging scenario that I find myself facing, I resolutely find a Bible verse that I can use as my "battle verse." Whenever discouragement threatens to dominate my waking hours, I begin talk to myself from the Word of God. I choose a verse with my name on it ... and then apply it in prayer, in declaration and in testimony.

"And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not give up" (Gal. 6:9).

It is vitally important in our walk as believers that we do not enter the presence of God Almighty and spew verbal vomit that is rife with discouraging and frustrated emotions all over the Throne Room. It is a healthier and holier choice to come into His presence with confidence and to joyfully and stubbornly remind God of His written and intractable promises! I have determined that I will not enter the Throne Room as a discouraged and worn-down worker, but I will go in as a child of God whose life depends upon the promises of God!

"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations" (Ps. 100:4-5).

 The Word of God should be our greatest reality and strongest shield when battling an enemy like discouragement. As women called to share the message of the Gospel, our emotions should never shout louder than the promises of God. 

"Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go" (Josh. 1:9).

Discouragement may tempt you to look to your circumstances, your failures and your fears but God has called you to keep your eyes on Him especially during days of fierce and unremitting storms. We have a resounding commission from the General to walk by faith and not by sight. 

"I can do all things because of Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13).

 Every person in the Bible who accomplished any significant thing for the kingdom of God faced discouragement along his or her life's journey. David dealt with depression ... Hannah was infertile ... Moses killed a man and was sent to the wilderness ... Esther heard the edict of death for her entire nation ... Daniel was kidnapped ... and Abraham stared old age in the face.

But these ordinary men and women who had heard the call of God on their individual lives determined not to be defined by their discouragement or by their circumstances but by the strength and power of the God whom they served.

I can do no less.

Carol McLeod is an author and popular speaker at women's conferences and retreats, where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. Carol encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical biblical messages mixed with her own special brand of hope and humor. She has written five books, No More Ordinary, Holy Estrogen!, The Rooms of a Woman's Heart and Defiant Joy! Her most recent book, Refined: Finding Joy in the Midst of the Fire, will be released on Aug. 1. Her teaching DVD The Rooms of a Woman's Heart won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award for excellence in religious programming. 

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