Discouraged? Go Back the Way You Came!

Good Sunday morning, everyone. It's been another rough week for our blue family. We've heard about more shootings and suicides, and sometimes it seems as if the weight of the world is on our shoulders. Where's the hope? Where's the peace? Where's the help?

Let me take you on a little journey, then I'll bring this home.

This week, Rick and I were privileged to attend the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington D.C. It's a very special time when approximately 4,000 people from all over the world--Presidents and Kings, church leaders and business people, average citizens like us and politicians, all gather to do one thing--pray and worship; to come together as one.

Before we left for this event, I was growing discouraged. My eyes had shifted to all the bad happening in our country; all the division and hatred; all the killing and ugliness. I was feeling discouraged and defeated.

BUT!!! I love that word! Where there is a "but" there is something new to see--some kind of change just around the corner, and for me, that change came in the form of thousands of people humbling themselves before Almighty God and crying out for His direction, His peace, His protection, His love, His guidance, His encouragement, His unity, His holiness.

In the midst of all of that, I found it, and I was reminded of another man who had grown tired and weary, fearful and discouraged. A man named Elijah who was a prophet of God and had gotten down in the faces of a wicked king and queen to speak truth. Yet now he was facing fear and discouragement. In his moment of darkness, he uttered these words, "I have had enough, LORD...Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors." (1 Kings 19:4b), but God met him there in that place and spoke these words, Go back the way you came...I reserve seven thousand in Israel--all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him." (1 Kings 19:15, 18)

So what does all this mean to us, to me? It means that we are not alone. Oh no!! God has so many warriors out there who are marching right alongside you! He has people who are praying and seeking God's face continually for you and for me. He has friends and loved ones--some we haven't even met yet, who stand beside you and are fighting this fight with you arm-in spiritual-arm.

When you and I feel discouraged and alone; when things seem so dark and hopeless, go back the way you came for God has people there waiting to lift you up. Look for them. Find them. Pray that God will reveal them to you.

You are not alone. He is right there with you and has you covered by His Almighty hand.

Blessings, my friends,
Kristi