When You Feel Discouraged: A Scripture Pep Talk

It’s so easy to get discouraged, isn’t it? Life hits us hard and trials last too long and we just get worn out trying to stand firm in faith. Or, sometimes we are in the thick of doing good, serving God and it just seems like progress is slow, our confidence is low and discouragement is high.

dawn-nature-sunset-woman

I’ve felt discouraged for both reasons lately. I’ve felt overwhelmed and under-qualified to rise to the demands of ministry. I’ve fallen into a confidence crisis and just plain felt defeated. And, at the same time, my sweet Dad has been in the hospital, fighting pain and infection. My mom is worn out caring for him and instead of things getting better, they just seem to get worse. As soon as we see some progress, the next day, his fever spikes and our hope deflates. It is just downright discouraging.

Letting Go of What You Thought for What Is True

In 2006, I was a guest on the Dr. Phil Show. Oh my gosh, girl! It was a fantastic experience full of surprises and expectations. I expected to have a pre-interview with a producer. I expected to have a totally interesting and slightly intimidating experience on set. I expected to have my make-up professionally done there in the studio. I expected cameras, questions and lots of nerves! I didn’t expect to talk to Dr. Phil personally offstage though. And if I did get to meet him, I expected him to be hurried and professional but not as engaging in private as he was on TV.

pexels-photo-31271

Well, most of my expectations were correct. I pre-interviewed with a producer. There were cameras, professional make-up (thank you, Lord), lots of questions and even more nerves! But, what I expected from Dr. Phil personally was not what I got! I expected him to be hurried. And, even though he was in a hurry, he wasn’t rushed. He was warm and casual. I expected him to be more guarded or distant in person than he seems to be on TV. Nope, he was so engaging and genuinely personally interested in me. I was totally thrown off – he was not who I expected him to be.

How to Hear God’s Voice Through Scripture

“Are you there? Can you hear me?! Can you hear me now?” How many times have you held your phone to your ear and asked — okay, shouted, “Can you hear me?” Then, you shift positions; you move to a window, put the phone up to the other ear, speak even louder, “Can you hear me now?”

AdobeStock_83639493

If you’re like me, you’ve done that too many times to count! In fact, so many of us have had this happen that Verizon Wireless featured an actor uttering those very words over and over in their famous cell phone commercials. Remember that?

How to Turn Worry in to Peace

Help!

I got an email with that as the subject line. Now, that will get your attention, won’t it?

It was from a woman whom I will call Veronica. She says she is a chronic worrier and has panic attacks. She reads her Bible and prays, but speaks really damaging self-talk to herself.

sBlog_Peace2

She needed some encouraging advice…

So, I spilled the beans on how to turn worry in to peace through prayer.

Jesus Gives Ever-Laughing Life

Several years ago I spoke at a church in Knoxville, Tennessee where I met an 8-year-old little girl named Bailey.

Bailey was born blind, but she had no idea boundaries existed! When I first met her, she fluttered about me like a butterfly with fresh new wings. She giggled and chattered with the most expressive lilt to her sweet voice! She was a delight.

 The-Ever-Laughing-Life

When I discovered she loved to sing, I invited her to join me on stage.

When she got up on stage, she held the microphone like a pro… and totally upstaged me! Before she began her song, she made an unexpected announcement to the audience…

Is It Wrong to Worry About Everything?

Spill The Beans

Dear Jennifer,
I have a friend who calls me in the evenings and talks ’til about 11:30 PM each night.  She is a worrier and I keep telling her it is wrong to worry about everything.  When I have a problem, I just talk to God about it and then place it in His hands and let Him take care of it.  I tell her this but she cannot do this.  What can I do to help her understand?
Barbara

Jennifer’s Answer