Everyone will get discourage at one time or another, but have you ever read the story of Elijah?

Elijah was an extraordinary man with powerful faith. Almost unshakable really. Once, Elijah prayed for drought and for three and a half years, Israel didn't see a drop of rain. Now that is what I call faith. Elijah's prayer was no surprise to God and God's response was no surprise to Elijah. That is what faith is -- an unshakable confidence in God's ability. But then God responded with an incredible downpour as Elijah prayed for rain, following the drought. Again, unshakable faith.

Still, Elijah felt the grip of discouragement just like you and I do from time to time. After all, like you and I. Elijah was human. Elijah even prayed for God to let him die. Now God didn't freak out just cause Elijah was having an off day. In fact God sent an angel with nourishment and instructions to stay with Elijah while he rested.

Let's face it, in our humanness, we sometimes think that God will respond to our depressed state with "Come on you big baby" as though that would help us feel better, but that's just not how God deals with our downhearted prophet in this case.

After a good meal, a nice nap and some clearer thinking, Elijah got up and went straight back to work the next morning. God's love was not going to part from Elijah just over a little depression. We need to remember that. Absolutely nothing can separate us from God's Love.

Like you and I, Elijah was a human being with that same kind of weaknesses as everyone else, and God completely understands that. God feels for us at those in those moment and in fact it is Him who helps us in those times when we need him most. Yes we do imagine God getting all impatient and disappointed, waving His finger and telling us what screw ups we are, but we couldn't be further from the truth.

God is our comforter when we are tired, weak and yes, even when we're depressed. He is our encourager and our strength. Our confidence in His unfailing Love will never be a waste of our faith.

So go ahead and:

1.     take a little time to eat and fill your belly
2.     get some rest, then get up and get back to work
3.     remembering always that God understands our humanness

Every man and woman of God will get discouraged, but God is our Great Encourager.

Kind regards,

Don