Do you feel discouraged? Defeated? Like the darkness is winning?

There’s a lot of heaviness in the world right now…but you have a good reason to rejoice.

Here’s a glimpse of that reason. Declare the following truths out loud:

1. The Lord is here to look after me. I am not defeated. He’s turning me into a warrior who is strong, well trained, and glorious in battle.

For the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has arrived

to look after Judah, his flock.

He will make them strong and glorious,

like a proud warhorse in battle. (Zech. 10:3 NLT)

Journaling thought: “Do I really believe that God is taking care of me? Does my heart understand that I am victorious and not defeated?”

2. Even when I feel discouraged and empty, I am dearly loved. Nothing can separate me from the love of my Father. I am confident in His love, and I know that He will always love me, even on my worst days.

So now I live with the confidence that there is nothing in the universe with the power to separate us from God’s love. I’m convinced that his love will triumph over death, life’s troubles, fallen angels, or dark rulers in the heavens. There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken his love. (Rom. 8:38 TPT)

We know how much God loves us because we have felt his love and because we believe him when he tells us that he loves us dearly. God is love, and anyone who lives in love is living with God and God is living in him. (1 John 4:16 TLB)

Journaling thought: “Do I really believe that God loves me? Does my head (my human thoughts and assumptions) try to talk me out of His love in any way? What can I do to embrace His love for me more deeply?”

3. God is doing an incredible thing in me and through me. It is far beyond my hopes and dreams, more than I could ever imagine, and so great that if He told me about it, it would seem unbelievable.

The Lord says, “This seems unbelievable to you—a remnant, small, discouraged as you are—but it is no great thing for me.” (Zech. 8:6 TLB)

Journaling thought: “Do I really believe that God has amazing things planned for me? Do I trust that His plan for me is actually good?”

4. Everything will work out for my good. That is how my heavenly Father thinks and how He operates. I don’t have to be afraid of losing out—because He is good and He is doing good. Everything He has told me will happen.

Moreover we know that to those who love God, who are called according to his plan, everything that happens fits into a pattern for good. (Rom. 8:28 PHILLIPS)

But I carry out the predictions of my prophets!

By them I say to Jerusalem, “People will live here again,”

and to the towns of Judah, “You will be rebuilt;

I will restore all your ruins!” (Isa. 44:26 NLT)

Journaling thought: “Do I really believe that God will fulfill everything He’s promised me? Is there anything the Holy Spirit wants to reveal to me today about the amazing promises of God?”

5. I declare that God is stronger than my enemies. The darkness might shout and make threats against me, but God is with me and the darkness is terrified of Him. One day I will look in triumph on my foes.

Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent a message to Hezekiah: “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I have heard your prayer concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria. This is the word that the Lord has spoken against him:

‘Virgin Daughter Zion
despises you and mocks you.
Daughter Jerusalem
tosses her head as you flee.’” (2 Kings 19:20–21 NIV)

But I know your dwelling place,

Your going out and your coming in,

And your rage against Me.

Because your rage against Me and your tumult

Have come up to My ears,

Therefore I will put My hook in your nose

And My bridle in your lips,

And I will turn you back

By the way which you came. (2 Kings 19:27–28 NKJV)

His heart is steady, and he is not afraid.

In the end he will look triumphantly at his enemies. (Ps. 112:8 NOG)

Journaling thought: “Do I really believe that God is stronger than all the things I’m afraid of? Does my heart know that is true?”

Need prayer?

Your heavenly Father loves you more than you realize. Check out these other devotions:

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The Reason You Can Rejoice in Hard Times