Tag: Encouragement For The Downcast

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:2-4).

Imagine a blacksmith forging a sword. The raw metal, rough and unyielding, must endure the fire’s heat and the hammer’s blows to become strong, sharp, and useful. Without the fire, it remains brittle; without the strikes, it lacks form. So it is with us. Life’s trials—whether a harsh word, a betrayal, or an unexpected loss—are God’s forge, shaping us into vessels of His glory. James challenges us to count it all joy when these trials come, not because they’re pleasant, but because they produce steadfastness, a resolute faith that anchors us in God’s promises.

Consider Sarah, a single mother who faced relentless criticism at work. Her new manager constantly belittled her efforts, tempting her to lash out or quit. Instead, she prayed, choosing meekness over anger, trusting God to vindicate her as He did Moses when Miriam and Aaron spoke against him (Numbers 12:3). Like David, who endured Shimei’s curses while fleeing Absalom (2 Samuel 16:10-12), Sarah refused to retaliate, leaving room for God’s justice. Over time, her steadfastness shone through; her manager noticed her grace, and coworkers rallied to her side. Her trial forged a stronger faith, proving God’s refining work.

We often “zig” with frustration or “zag” with self-defense, feeling entitled to anger. Yet, James calls us to a higher standard as a “peculiar people” (1 Peter 2:9). Trials test our ability to love unconditionally, as Christ loved the Church (Ephesians 5:25), and to live out the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40). When we embrace trials with joy, we allow God to shape us into mature believers, “perfect and complete,” reflecting His transformative grace.

Identify a trial you’re facing today, and instead of counting the cost—your comfort, pride, or need to be right—count it all joy. Ask, “What is God teaching me through this?” Perhaps it’s patience, grace, or trust. Like David, leave room for God’s vindication. Like Moses, choose meekness over self-defense. Pray for strength to endure, knowing God is producing steadfastness in you, preparing you to live as His “peculiar people” (1 Peter 2:9).

Remember, trials are God’s classroom for faith. Embrace them with joy, and let steadfastness shape you into the mature, loving, and meek believer God calls you to be.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your refining work in my trials. Help me to count them all joy, trusting Your purpose to produce steadfastness in me. Grant me the meekness of Moses, the faith of David, and the love of Christ, that I may reflect Your glory as one of Your peculiar people. May I endure with patience, becoming perfect and complete in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

¹⁵ So people will be brought low and everyone humbled, the eyes of the arrogant humbled. ¹⁶ But the Lord Almighty will be exalted by His justice, and the holy God will be proved holy by His righteous acts. ~ Isaiah 5:15-16

God said that people will be brought low, but God will be exalted by His Justice. Now what exactly does that mean?

I believe the problem of understanding that is that we get the God of the Old Testament confused with the God of the New Testament. We believe Him to be two entirely different Gods. Or at least two entirely different personalities. But that is an incorrect belief and gross misinterpretation of Scripture. God said that He is the LORD God Almighty and He does not change.

So, the God of the O.T. is the same God of the N.T. He did not change His personality nor His ways. His laws are the same, for the soul that sinneth, it shall die. But every soul that accepts the sacrifice of Jesus Christ will live.
We have life because of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Be blessed in the LORD.

Father, help me to always remember and put my faith in Your Son, Jesus of Nazareth. And it’s in His mighty Name that I pray, amen.

25 I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. (Joel 2:25).

Life has a way of stealing from us. The enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10), and often he doesn’t just come for our present — he goes after our past. He targets our confidence, our time, our opportunities, even our sense of identity. For some, it’s the wasted years of rebellion; for others, it’s the pain of betrayal, the sting of a broken family, the toll of addiction, or just the slow drain of disappointment.

But here is the good news: God sees, God remembers, and God restores.

In Joel 2, Israel had faced a series of devastating plagues. The locusts had stripped the land bare. Everything the people had worked for was gone. But in the middle of their devastation, God sent a word of hope: “I will restore to you the years…” God didn’t just promise a better tomorrow — He promised to redeem the years that had been lost. Only God can do that.

Think about that. You and I can’t relive a single minute. But God is not bound by time. He can take the lessons, the pain, and the seemingly wasted seasons and use them to produce fruit in our lives that’s even more abundant than before.

When God restores, He doesn’t merely return things to how they were. He improves them. The Prodigal Son didn’t just return to his old room—he received a robe, a ring, and a feast (Luke 15). Job didn’t just get back what he lost—he received double (Job 42:10). And when Peter denied Jesus three times, Jesus didn’t leave him in shame—He restored him three times and commissioned him to be a leader in the Church (John 21:15–17).

Maybe today you’re living with regret over what was lost — time, purpose, purity, relationships, finances, or ministry opportunities. Maybe you feel like too much damage has been done and there’s no going back. But here’s the truth: there’s no situation too broken for God to redeem.

Restoration doesn’t always mean God will give you back exactly what you lost — sometimes it means He will give you something better. He may not restore the same job, but He’ll give you peace and provision. He may not bring back the same relationship, but He’ll give you healing and a deeper walk with Him. He may not reverse every earthly consequence, but He will give you eternal purpose in its place.

Isaiah 61:3 says God gives us beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. That is the kind of God we serve — one who specializes in turning loss into life, and sorrow into songs of joy.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are a God who restores. I accept everything that You give me, and help me to appreciate all that You do for me, in Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.

For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. ~ Romans 11:1b–2a

In today’s world we have a rise in the amount of people believe that the nation of Israel has been replaced by the Church. What does God say? God has always kept a remnant for Himself. Why? Because God is a Promise Keeping God. He does not lie, and He does not forget.

Nothing would please the enemy more than if God were to break even one of His promises to Israel—because then, he could claim that God is not faithful. But we serve a faithful God.

God has not replaced, abandoned, nor removed Israel. This is a good thing. This is an encouraging thing. Why? Because that means that God keeps His promises. That means that God always remembers His people. That means God never gives up on us. If He won’t give up on Israel, He won’t give up on you.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Trust In The God Who Remembers.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you…” (Isaiah 43:2).

Have you ever felt like you were drowning in the circumstances of life? Like wave after wave keeps crashing down, and just when you think you can’t catch your breath, still another one hits? Life can feel like that sometimes — overwhelming, uncertain, and even painful at times. But in the midst of it all, God gives us this precious promise in Isaiah 43:2: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you…”

Notice it doesn’t say if you pass through the waters, but when. Trials are not optional in the Christian life. Storms will come, rivers will rise, and fires will burn — but none of these things have the final say. Why? Because God is with us and He is for us.

This verse is not merely poetic language — it’s a powerful reminder of God’s presence in our deepest struggles. He doesn’t promise to remove every difficulty, but He promises His presence in the middle of it. And His presence changes everything.

When Israel stood at the edge of the Red Sea, they saw no way forward — until God made a way. When the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant stepped into the Jordan, the waters stopped — but only after they stepped in. That’s faith. God doesn’t always remove the challenge before we act. Sometimes He asks us to step forward in trust — and then He moves.

Whatever you’re facing today — whether it’s grief, financial strain, health issues, or family conflict — remember that God is with you in the waters. He is not distant. He is not absent. He is Emmanuel, God with us.

You may feel overwhelmed — but you won’t be overcome.

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You that You are with us and for us. And as long as we abide in You, You will abide in us. You will never leave us to struggle in the water alone. Thank You, in Jesus’ mighty Name, amen.

Matthew 8:1-3 NLT

[1] Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside. [2] Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” [3] Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared.

This man had leprosy, yet came and knelt down before Jesus and requested a cleansing touch. See in those days, those with leprosy weren’t to integrate into regular society. Matter-a-fact they were to shout out “unclean. Unclean” if they saw others near by, but this man threw aside all protocol and came kneeling down before Jesus asking for a miracle. And you know what happened? Jesus touched him.

See, you may see your sin as disgusting and unforgivable. Your past may have you in so much shame you don’t even feel worthy to ask Jesus for forgiveness, but here’s the thing, Jesus will reach out and give a cleansing touch to anyone who will simply as to be cleansed. When we humble ourselves before the LORD, the LORD has mercy on us. Our sin may be too much for us to clean, too much for us to overcome, but it’s not too much for God to cleanse and forgive. Regardless of your past, it’s not too much for God to handle.

Don’t allow the world to discourage you from following Christ and kneeling before Him. Be like that leper that didn’t care about the crowds or protocol but ran to Jesus and knelt at His feet so that he might be cleansed.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Seek Your Cleansing.

9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. ~ Galatians 6:9

Paul encourages us to not grow weary of doing good, but what does he really mean by that? This phrase translated as, grow weary, is the Greek word egkakōmen, which means:

• Don’t lose heart

• Or become discouraged

• Or slack off

But continue pressing forward. Continue living to the Spirit, continue doing what is pleasing to God, and do not quit, for in due season you will be rewarded by our Father who art in heaven.

This phrase “in well doing” includes: Obedience, Service, Prayer, Generosity, Faithfulness, And basically, all forms of Spirit-led living.

And “in due season” speaks of God’s appointed time for harvest. It’s all about God’s strategic moment.

But the harvest is not unconditional; it requires perseverance. So, keep on keeping on; the harvest is on its way.

Peace.  Love. Go Forth and Persevere.