Why do I feel so discouraged? I am giving all that I feel like I can, but I still feel as though it is not good enough! I feel so run down all the time. I don't want to be discouraged. I don't want to give up! I feel like I need to understand much better, but I don't see how that can be. I am trying my best and don't know what else to do. Am I required to be more than I can be? Sometimes I feel like I'm at my wits end. So lost and confused! What should I do? Why do I feel this way? I feel like something is missing in my understanding, and I just can't seem to put my hand on it. I would love to get past this feeling and get closer to God. But how can I take control of my thoughts? I read my Bible and study alot, but I still feel like I'm missing something. Any advise you can give me would be greatly appreciated. I don't like feeling this way. It is a miserable feeling!
We all go through times like this. Mine was because I had a bad childhood and the memories and the scars were really dragging me down. I'm an artist, without inspiration it's hard to bring myself to do anything. So, all my life, I've been fighting nightmares and demons in my nightmares and fighting depression. But I watched something on the Trinity Broadcasting Network that really opened my eyes. A man had a near death experience in which he got to see heaven. He described it as a glorious city. There were mansions that were beautifully crafted and they almost seemed living. He said the flowers praised the Lord and that there were saints gathered continously praising the Lord. It was such a beautiful place. The angel then showed him Hell. And it was terrifying. The man said that each person there was continuously tormented by their sins. And they began crying out to the man begging him to help them and each one confessing their sins. The angel then told the man that he was not going to heaven because he had not forgiven his wife. (the day before his wife had done something that hurt his feelings and he decided not to forgive her). The angel told him "How can you expect God to forgive you if you will not forgive others?" The man was a preacher and a born again Christian. So as I listened, I learned that I had never truley forgiven the people that had hurt me. I wasnt having nightmares because they were truley trying to haunt me. I was having nightmares because I wouldn't truley forgive and forget. I'm a Christian too, but I was saved when I was seven and I didn't understand the full extent of God's love. But as I thought about I was living, I began to realize that I was using God as a get out of Hell free card. But God is sinned against every day. The people of earth beat his son, tortured and denied him and blashpemed his name... and yet in the end, Jesus willingly paid our price... and even asked that God forgive us, for we know not what we do. So surely, if God can forgive all of us, we can forgive the people that hurt us too. For God is a God of love. His love can penetrate us and open our hearts and minds to things we had never even imagined. So whether your discoragement is caused by a terrible tragedy or lack of forgiveness or whatever, remember Isaish 41:10. Fear thou not, for I am with thee. Maybe you are feeling discouraged because you aren't doing what God really wants you to do.
1 Thessalonians 5
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1</SUP>But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
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2</SUP>For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
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3</SUP>For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
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4</SUP>But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
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5</SUP>Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
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6</SUP>Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
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7</SUP>For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
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8</SUP>But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
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9</SUP>For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
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10</SUP>Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
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11</SUP>Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
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12</SUP>And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
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13</SUP>And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
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14</SUP>Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
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15</SUP>See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
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16</SUP>Rejoice evermore.
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17</SUP>Pray without ceasing.
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18</SUP>In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
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19</SUP>Quench not the Spirit.
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20</SUP>Despise not prophesyings.
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21</SUP>Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
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22</SUP>Abstain from all appearance of evil.
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23</SUP>And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and
I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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24</SUP>Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
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25</SUP>Brethren, pray for us.
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26</SUP>Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
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27</SUP>I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. <SUP class=versenum id=en-KJV-29650>
28</SUP>The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
I believe that we are living in the last days before Jesus comes back. So rejoice. Because the Lord that loves us so much is coming back! Isn't that exciting. Tell God that you forgive those who have sinned against you. Tell him your troubles and worries, and feelings of discouragement, and then tell him that you want to live for him. And if you need an incentive; live for him so that he knows you are thankful and that you love him too for more than just a get of Hell free card. I believe that all our missions are to witness to as many as we can before we are raptured. We are born as answer for someone else. So live for God.
Philippians 4
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1</SUP>Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
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2</SUP>I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
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3</SUP>And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
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4</SUP>Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
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5</SUP>Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
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6</SUP>Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
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7</SUP>And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
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8</SUP>Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
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9</SUP>Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
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10</SUP>But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
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11</SUP>Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
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12</SUP>I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
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13</SUP>I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
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14</SUP>Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
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15</SUP>Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
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16</SUP>For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
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17</SUP>Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
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18</SUP>But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
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19</SUP>But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
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20</SUP>Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
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21</SUP>Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.
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22</SUP>All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household. <SUP class=versenum id=en-KJV-29466>
23</SUP>The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
You'd be surprised at how much better you'll feel once you decide to live for the Lord. After all, this is only the beginning. We have all eternity to do the things we love and enjoy. Let's make an effort to share that same joy with everyone else. ^.^ I'll be praying for you. <3