Deuteronomy 31:6 tells us to be strong and courageous. Like so many things, it is easy to say but sometimes hard to do. Many things happen. We have circumstances that can cause us to feel hopelessness and despair. Everyone, at one time or another, has issues with family, friends, work issues, certain injustices, and even how we look at ourselves. Sometimes we don’t necessarily need a reason to feel down. It could be that we just do not feel well and are tired. These feelings can make us ask, “Is it worth the effort?”
When things go wrong or don’t feel right, we need to remember First John 4:1, which tells us to not believe every spirit. Remember, we have talked about having the “Holy Spirit” in our hearts, but if we are weak (and we are all weak at times), that feeling in our hearts may be the devil working to bring us down. So, with that said, we can accept that it is natural to sometimes have dark thoughts and feelings. I repeat the important thing: “The important thing is to not give into these worrisome feelings. We have discussed making good decisions and what happens when we make bad decisions. We all have the power and ability to make the right choices. Second Timothy 1:7 assures us that God has given us a spirit to not fear these troubling times and the power, love, and self-control to move through troubled times.
To overcome our gloom and despair, we must know the power that God has given us. We have all heard Philippians 4:13, which guarantees that we can do all things with the strength that God gives each and every one of us. We have to get up every morning knowing we can succeed; the only thing that will make us fail is giving up. This attitude is called being inspired. Inspiration is the feeling of enthusiasm, knowing you can do whatever is reasonable. Being confident and encouraged in your daily lives will unlock creativity, renew energies, build self-esteem, and motivated you to succeed. “Being inspired can give you the ideas and desire you need to: solve complex problems, develop something new and exciting, and change directions in your life. Inspirational people are those who can set a goal and do everything in their power to achieve it. It takes a lot of self-discipline and dedication to one’s passions to achieve your goals. Individuals who adopt this trait can use it to empower those around them.” (Drake, 2022) Second Timothy 3:16 is very plain when it states that all scripture and good ideas above reproof and beyond correction are breathed out of God. The authors and editors of the Bible were inspired, influenced, and led by God, so every word was a result of what God inspired them to do. So, without any doubt, the Bible was written by God. We can also refer back to First Timothy 4:4, which declares that everything created by God is good. These individuals listened to God and followed what God had planned for them.
God is trying to talk and guide you too. He wants you to be inspired to succeed and find happiness. The problem we all have is that the devil also has plans for us. First Peter 5:8 warns us to be sober-minded and watch as the devil prowls around like a lion looking to swallow us. Good times (I say good times, and we know that is a lie) with alcohol, drugs, easy women, and other deviant behavior are used to steer you away from God. The devil will use every trick and lie to persuade you away from God. The thoughts of eternal life with God should give you the inspiration to resist the devil’s influence. Remember First Corinthians 10:13 promises that there is no temptation that is common to man. God is faithful and will show us a way to avoid the devil and all his temptations, providing we believe and allow God to help us.