I’ve been putting off completing a big (Big) project for seven months.  I got started at the beginning of the pandemic stay at home order.  But because it didn’t have a deadline, other things pushed it out.  I worked on it in fits and starts.  Several weeks ago, I gathered my small courage and dove in headfirst.  After many days of concentrated effort, I felt that I had completed Step Two.  It felt so good!  There was hope that I actually would be successful in my new endeavor.   I finally saw light at the end of the tunnel. Then I realized that the light was moving toward me.  It was a freight train!  My plans were hit hard by a harsh reality I didn’t anticipate.

This experience really got me thinking.  I was so hopeful, I felt on a high.  I actually can do this.  I felt enabled, capable, successful. . . until it all came to a screeching halt!  Then I felt defeated, deflated, and discouraged.  My effort, planning, and ideas were all for naught.  I wasn’t going to be able to bring this project to fruition in the way I planned.  One morning dear Husband looked at me and asked me if I was alright.  He said I looked tired and down.  Yeah, very true.  So what does God’s Word say about defeats, or even just setbacks, and our response to them?  I’ve been taught that discouragement isn’t from God.

If the voice of discouragement isn’t God’s, then whose is it?  I have a sneaking suspicion I know.  The enemy of our souls kills, steals, and destroys according to John 10 .  Just think what a powerful weapon discouragement is for our enemy! Discouragement kills our drive, steals our dreams, and destroys our hope.  Of course he’s going to wield that formidable weapon against us!  The good thing is that the presence of discouragement alerts us to our enemy. If we’re discouraged, our enemy is near.  But we have effective protection and a powerful weapon from God.  We have a belt to support our ‘guts’ which is the truth of who we are and who God is.  Knowing who we are to God gives us the ‘guts’ to stand firm.  We have the body armor of right standing with God.  Our hearts are protected because we are confident that God forgives our wrongdoing and helps us do right.  We have protective footwear to keep us moving forward in spite of rough terrain.  This protection enables us to move forward because we don’t have to worry whether or not God is with us and for us.  We have peace with him because of the Good News of what Jesus did for us.  When the burning arrows of discouragement attack, we can raise our shield of faith to deflect them.  Yes, things aren’t going according to plan, but we trust our God is in control and he is good.  Our minds are protected by our helmet of salvation.  We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we have a God who saves.  He saves our souls, our lives, our purpose, our hope. The one offensive weapon we have is the sword of God’s Word.  God’s Spirit uses Scripture to cut through our enemy’s lies.  The devil schemes to hurt us can’t stand against the truth of the Bible.  And lastly, we can pray about everything since we’re on the alert when our enemy attacks us with discouragement.

When discouragement tries to take me down, I’m reminded to take a quick inventory.  Maybe I need to make some attitude adjustments.  Have I been saying to myself, “I’ll succeed in this project,” instead of saying, “I’ll succeed if God wills.”?  Have I been saying, “I can do this,”  instead of “I can do this with God’s help.”?  When things fall apart, it’s always a good time for a self-check.  Maybe I need to squelch a ‘poor me’ attitude.  Taking a victim outlook never helps me move forward, it just gives me an excuse to quit.  Or maybe I need to ditch the comparison habit.  Comparing steals my joy and contentment.  It doesn’t matter what anyone else is doing, I’m me and I need to do my jobs with the gifts God has given me.

After an honest self-evaluation, the next thing I try to remember is that God has given me strong protection against all the enemy’s schemes.  I remember the supportive truth that I’m the child of a loving, strong Father who is taking care of me (the belt of truth).  I remember that I’m safely covered in right standing with God because of what Jesus did for me (armor of God’s righteousness) so this situation isn’t punishment.  I remember that I have peace in knowing Jesus is everything I need (the shoes of peace with God that enable me to push forward in rough terrain) I don’t have to pretend to be enough. I remember that I can stop the devil’s attacks with simple faith in my God who loves me and is working everything out for my good (the shield of faith).  My mind is guarded from doubt by remembering that I’m safe in Jesus who brings us through all circumstances (helmet of salvation).  Knowing and believing what God has said enables me to slash through those burning lies about me and my future.  God’s words silence the father of lies- the devil (sword of the Spirit).  And I keep praying because there is more involved here than just a project.

“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. . . Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle, you will still be standing firm.  Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.   Ephesians 6:10-11, 13-18