RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Friday 1 March 2013 ANTIDOTE TO DISCOURAGEMENT By Pastor E. A. Adeboye

RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Friday 1 March 2013 

ANTIDOTE TO DISCOURAGEMENT 

By Pastor E. A. Adeboye

Memorise: “And he said, Come, And when Peter was come down out of the ships he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.” Matthew 14:29

Read: Matthew 14:22-23

Bible in one year:  Acts 13-14

Key point: The target of discouragement is to steal your hope. As long as Christ remains your Hope, you cannot be discouraged.

Discouragement is a terrible thing. Apart from beclouding ones vision, it drains one of strength. When you are discouraged, there will be no energy to do the good things you had earlier set out to achieve. Many of God’s children are battling with different levels of discouragement. The work of the Lord is slow, sluggish and suffering because many of God’s children have been hit by discouragement. Check your level of commitment and service to God, if it is dwindling, it is , possible somewhere along the line, you have been hit by discouragement. Discouragement is a spirit. It is scientific in its approach to attacking people. It is capable of , providing you with facts, figures, faces, graphs, photographs and other evidences to buttress why you should give up hope. To counter this spirit, the Lord: instructs  not to operate by sight. Anyone who walks by sight will be an easy prey to the spirit of discouragement. I The one who is discouraged cannot be looking unto Jesus I at the same time. In other words, if you are discouraged at

I all, it is evidence that you have taken your eyes off Jesus.

Discouragement works hand in hand with fear. When you are afraid, you become very unsettled ¡n your emotions. Fear leads to discouragement. Take the example of Peter who was stuck at mid-sea with the other apostles, they were battling with the wind which was contrary; but when Jesus came by, though afraid, Peter quickly conquered his fears and asked to come to meet Jesus walking on water. The Lord gave the word to come. He came down on the water, faced Jesus and began to walk on water. As long as he looked on Jesus, the water remained solidified under his feet. But immediately he took off his gaze from Jesus, he saw the boisterous wind, became afraid and began to sink. Before fear hits you, you will either see something or hear something. If you can watch what you see and hear, you can checkmate fear. And to checkmate discouragement, focus on Jesus. Focus on His promises to you.  Focus on His Word. Refuse to shift focus in spite of the

contrary circumstances and you will overcome. This season, God is releasing fresh grace upon you to help you overcome fear, doubt, and discouragement. Stay focused on Jesus!