We all go through times of discouragement, and maybe even of despair. But to live in that place, refusing to be comforted, is to deny the victory and hope Jesus Christ offers His people…victory He won through the cross. We can choose to stake ourselves to depression, despair and discouragement. Some do. For many years, I did too. As believers, we don’t have to. Jesus came to give us life, and life abundant. The fruits of the Spirit are ours for the taking; they’re part of our inheritance. We CAN live with love, joy, peace, and all the rest of the fruits of the Spirit. We might have to reach out and take these things. We might have to fight for them. But they are ours. Jesus placed them within our reach.
I had to get to the place where I was willing to endure the suffering that change took. I figured I was suffering anyway, so why not suffer on a journey to wholeness instead of suffering with no end in sight. It’s easy to believe the lie that if we’ve tried and failed to take hold of joy, that it just isn’t possible FOR ME. But all things are possible for those of us in Christ Jesus. (Mark 9:23) It is for freedom that Christ set us free! (Gal. 5:1) Past defeat does not guarantee future failure! We might stumble and fall along the way, but even as we do, we’re learning to walk. Just like a toddler learning to walk, we’ll get a little further the next time we try. Until finally, one day, we’re walking!
May the joy of the Lord be your strength today,
Arlene
““The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” Isaiah 61:1-3
Are you silently suffering from the aftermath of your church being torn in two? It was many years ago now, but the memories burned a painful yet necessary lesson into my heart. I wish I could say that I was blameless in what happened, but I can’t. My intentions were good, but I was blind to the fact that I played into the enemy’s hand. 
We all have many choices before us…will we return to Church? Will we go to the gym? How about returning to the office? Fear of covid 19 screams for our attention. The question is, will we give fear the power to guide our decisions? Don’t get me wrong. We all need to use wisdom in what we do and where we go. Something will guide our decisions. If fear of sickness is something you’re struggling with, you’re not alone. 
If so, you’re in good company. King David felt the effects of it too. I haven’t found a ton of scriptures that talk about the spirit of slumber, so I try to give careful attention to the ones that do. This morning, I was paying special attention to the context of the main chapter that talks about this spirit. I’ve been a little baffled by Romans 11:9-10: “May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them. May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs bent forever.” (Romans 11:9-10) 
“‘In the last days’, God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit on all people.'” (Acts 2:17)
“…once more God will send us his spirit. The wasteland will become fertile, and fields will produce rich crops.” Isaiah 32:15
“And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on My menservants and maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days. I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth…” Joel 2:28-30a
What are your marching orders in this season? Is it, “Run hard and fast?” Or, “Wait.” I’m in the latter category. Like a runner waiting for the signal that the race is on, I want to run. The waiting feels like it’s taking forever. Waiting can be one of the hardest things to do. I’d much rather roll up my sleeves and get to work. But God keeps saying, “Wait. Trust My timing. I will determine when it’s time to run.” If you’re waiting too, I hope to encourage you with some things that have helped me:
Walk Whole 