Air is vital in everything we do. When it comes to running a marathon, driving a car, even sleeping... If we don't breathe, we could pass out, or even die. Even in sleeping, sleep apnea interrupts one's sleep and they stop breathing repeatedly during their slumber. Even though we are resting, our brain & body does not get enough oxygen.

Even things that weigh us down can feel like a heavy stone upon our chest - For me, it's discouragement. Discouragement is that tight grip around my neck, preventing me from living & loving to my fullest. And just like being deprived of air during a race, I am drastically hindered from completing God's mission.

But our all-loving, all-knowing God is well aware of the impact of discouragement. The following scripture says that discouragement is temptation "common to mankind":

And to make matters even more complex, in dealing with this, sometimes we need tenderness, and other times we need "firmness". But the biggest lie we believe during times like these is, discouragement is to be tolerated, or wallowed in... "It' is what it is". The truth is, it's to be fought.

When we are discouraged, we want comfort - Simple enough, huh? I mean, there is nothing wrong in "wanting" this. But the snare that we often fall into is, our desire for comfort easily turns into a way to avoid our fears, rather than muster our courage to face & overcome them. And when this happens, our discouragement becomes a sinful indulgence in unbelief, and if we look at it from a level playing field, this is no different than struggling with lust, anger, or any other sin.

God does not want us to be discouraged.

lol... He even commands us to not be.

He said the following to his disciples just before an extremely discouraging moment in their lives: His death.

Look at the words: "don't let". Not only are His Words comforting, but also a command. He knew that they would be tempted to fear. Just as things were taking off with the ministry, it appears to start imploding. But instead of giving into fear, they were told to trust God.

Paraphrased, it says, "Don't let your hearts be ruled by what you see. Let them be ruled by what I promise you."

And that goes for you & me today.

What is causing you to be discouraged today? Are you having a hard time believing that God will truly work for good through whatever looks so bad to you?

Although this is difficult for me, now is not the time to pout or cower - It is the time to fight. The discouragement we feel is our faith being choked. And when we're "spiritually choking", it's not the time to sit in front of a tv (guilty), with a plate of comfort food (also guilty) in an attempt to medicate our hurt. This is the time to remove whatever is choking us from our bodies so we can begin to breathe again.

You need to fight for your spiritual life.

And you may also need someone to give you the Heimlich.

Go get encouragement. Don't let discouragement choke you because it's stopping you from believing in God's promises.

You must not let your heart be ruled by what you see; Let it be ruled by what Jesus promised each of us.