“You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.”
– 2 Chronicles 20:17
One of the best reasons to be hopeful is to help others stay hopeful. When you study ancient warfare, it’s interesting to note that rather than two armies going against one another full force and clambering (think Braveheart), they would often get within 10 feet of each other and just jab and throw things. This would sometimes go on for hours. Interestingly, the same thing happens today when there’s a protest; you’ll notice police officers and protesters on either side of an invisible line. In both scenarios, people can die when they retreat. If someone on one side gets scared and runs, everyone will begin to run and the line will become brittle. This is important because in the Spiritual battle of life, your behavior and your attitude affects your neighbor. You are not in this fight alone. Yielding to the emotional state of near-dwellers can cause you to lose hope, fall into despair and run away. It’s good to be honest about what you’re going through, but don’t give up in the 11th hour. Do your best to be a faith-filled, joyful person who stands firm in adversity, holding the line of hope for the sake of those around you. |
Prayer
God, please help me to hold my line of joy and hope so I can encourage and uplift others.
Reflection
Do you often succumb to the negative emotions of those around you? If so, how might you remain encouraged in spite of others?
2 Responses
I don’t try to succumb to the negative emotions surrounding around myself for that I choose to be positive atmosphere on a daily basis for that I used to be talking negativity for years but my father taught me to be positivity speaking words every single day always ! So I always say positivity words to family friends & my co-workers staff crew around me on a daily basis! Even my church family members & christian confidente’ friends as well!
HEY BOBBY,
AS of late APRIL, i HAVE STOP GOING TO Church with my sister & Brother in law. because I got tired of the church people Snubbing me & giving me the cold shoulder Treatment. of all the churches I have been with my parents, no body ever did me that way. I know I’m not a PREACHER’s kid any more, but that does not give them them the right to treat me that way. they sure aren’t acting like Christine’s . so what I am going to do is, just go to church on special days. & if I get the same treatment, then I am not gong back any more. because I have giving them planty of chances to be nice to me.