Discouragement…we have all experienced the gut punch of life. I have learned it follows expectation. I hear, see, or think of something awesome, great & fun, and not long after “BOOM!” something happens to bust the ballon. Many times, the busted ballon of hope resulted from my poor choices. But sometimes it was just life.

Several years ago, “I” decided to go to work for a company that I believed would enable my dream to come true. I dreamed of working 10 years and retiring with a with a place on the lake. I found myself working 50, 60 and even some 70 hour weeks, “trying” to make it happen. Even though my bottom-line numbers were great my new boss asked me to lunch, “Are you happy?” Even though I danced around with my answer, she replied, “Maybe you need to find something else that would make you happy.” BAM! I was 52 years old facing unemployment with no idea of “what’s next?”

I could have become deeply discouraged, but our All-Knowing God knew what was coming. One month before, early one morning I opened my Bible and read Jeremiah 29. I don’t remember why this verse lingered that morning, but I marked & underlined the verse. Little did I know He was throwing me a life preserver.

I remember walking to my car that day after lunch, numb, discouraged, and fearful. Then He whispered that Jeremiah verse to my heart, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity” Jeremiah 29:11-14.

I call this experience a God School Lab Session. I had a choice to use His formula found in His textbook (Jeremiah 29:11-14) or keep using my failed ways. For the next 5 months I focused on this scripture only. With 2 weeks of saving & money left, and no hope of a job, I received a call from someone I had worked with 25 years before. I had no idea why he wanted to meet, but 30 minutes into our time he said, “Robert, I’m going to retire in a year and thought you might want my job!” Instantly the whisper returned, “For I know the plans I have for you….”

Do I still get discouraged? Yes, but only temporarily. The source of recovery is in His Word. As Joshua & the Israelite’s prepared to cross the River Jordan into Canaan, God told Joshua he would face battles, hard times and discouragement. In verse 9 God said, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged…” Now listen to God instruction on how to respond. “for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua would receive the necessary wisdom, strength & victory from God alone. Look closely through the Bible. There are many examples of people choosing to face impossible situations with only the faith & trust in His Promise. They had what I call “But even if…” (Daniel 3:18) faith.

Are you facing discouragement? I challenge you to go to God’s Guidebook For Living, the Bible. The Psalms & Proverbs are incredible. Many of them came from people experiencing pain, despair & discouragement. Allow Him to provide the only real Hope & Peace to your heart. He is the Promise Keeper!

James 1:5-8 speaks to how we must seek God. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”

The school bell is ringing…what are you going to prove in God’s Lab today?