Do you feel discouraged?  If you’re feeling worn-out, bummed out or just out of gas, and want to feel better today, this video will help you re-discover your song and find a new spark for your life!

When we are discouraged it’s absolutely vital to know that we’re never alone in this feeling.  One of Satan’s most powerful strategies to keep us discouraged is to make us isolate ourselves.  When we are in solitary confinement, he can torment our minds, invade our dreams and make us scream knowing that no one will hear.

That’s why it’s so important to share your discouragement with others.  After all, it is no secret that we’ve all been there.  Every human over age 2 has felt downcast, gloomy or disheartened.  No one is immune, and that’s why sharing is so vital.  You and I may both be strong, but if we’re going to fight discouragement, we are so much stronger together!

It’s important to know that discouragement takes on many forms and attacks us in a hundred different ways.  Satan will try to beat us up with whatever discouragement weapon he can find in his arsenal, and sometimes, even the most incredible people in the world get discouraged.  After all, think of all the talented and successful celebrities who get stuck in drugs – simply because of depression, discouragement or some type of disillusionment.

Consider the story of my friend who had built a successful business and now as a wealthy 62-year-old said he was so discouraged and disillusioned with life that he was “ready to die.”  He’d been there, done that, traveled the world, taken risks, loved his kids and doted on his grandchildren.  But Satan tried to make him focus on his future that suddenly seemed boring, where he became scared of losing what he had.  Even so, he said he was more than ready to call it quits.

Another friend told me he simply did not love his wife anymore.  There was no spark, romance or joy in his marriage.  He said the glue was gone, with nothing to look forward too except disagreements.  After his lament, he said that he too, was ready to call it quits.

Yes, we’ve all felt discouraged, or felt like quitting at times.  Quitting school, leaving our marriage, resigning from work and even abandoning God.  But the good news is there is an easy, three-part solution that is proven to work!

Step one is to think.  Yes to think!  To remember what you already know about God.  The Bible tells us that God has great plans for you as it says, “I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for.” ^{Jeremiah 29:11 GNT}

As we are thinking, consider how, when we look backward, we can instantly remember things from childhood.  Instantly.  With that in mind, flip your timeframe around and imagine how long eternity must be.  What an amazing thing to know that our God has plans for you to prosper well past this short life and into eternity!

Step two is to be thankful.   Just yesterday, another friend called, barely able to speak through his tears, saying how the hospital had just diagnosed him with stage 4 lung cancer.  And after he told me his situation, he told me how thankful he was for his relationships with God, his family and for all he had been blessed with.  Wow!!

For our own peace of mind, no matter what are circumstances, we can always choose to be thankful.  Thankful to God for his love.  Thankful for his grace, mercy and forgiveness.  Thankful for all of our relationships.  Thankful for every opportunity we’ve been blessed with.  Thankful for work, for school, our home, our health and our friends.

Yes we can be thankful for all we have!  And when we are – we win!  So who can you thank right now!??  Of course, we can and should always thank God, but how about thanking your spouse, your kids, mom, co-workers, boss or even the mailman!

Step three is to fall in love.  Yes!  Start by falling in love – all over again – the same way you dated in high-school!  Find reasons to call and say, “You are the best!”  Hide love notes under the pillow.  Leave a bouquet of flowers in the front seat of the car.  Make breakfast in bed.  You get it – hunt for, look for reasons and ways to fall in love again and again!

And then do the same thing with life.  Court life.  Right now – this very minute – decide one thing you can do that can bless someone else.  Someone at work, your church or a neighbor.  Courting means to be creative – think!  Have fun!

Bring your neighbor some cookies.  Write sincere love letters to your children.  Apologize to someone who may have been offended by you.  Take someone out for a double/triple/double coffee delight.  Baby-sit some kids for an over-stressed mom who lives nearby.

You get the idea!  Take some risks and be spontaneous – the same way you were when you laughed and courted in high school!   And when you shift your focus away from yourself, you’ll be surprised how your discouragement cloud will lift, and your days will become sunny once again!

My friends, Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal kill and destroy, but I came that you would have life, and have it abundantly.” ^{John 10:10}   Would you like to stop the thief from breaking into your life? If you want to know how stop Satan’s lies and deceptions so you can have the abundance Jesus has for you, let us bless you with a free MP3 audiobook or PDF of “Why Wait to Be Happy?”  Jesus paid a big price for your freedom, and He wants you to get what he paid for.