From Joanna:

The Pull to the Hole

We are in an incredibly interesting time in many ways, and that includes spiritually. There is a strong temptation to embrace the defeat that seems to be falling on us, trying to weigh us all down. Many of us assume that we do not have the power to change things, and we may believe that even God is not powerful enough. I challenge this lie. 

We were created with God's power dwelling in us. Defeat is not in our name! Today is not our stopping place. The enemy lies to us, creating an illusion that we lack the authority given to us by God. However, we are in a moment of rebirth. God is shifting and changing the pieces on the board like a chess game. Quite often, we don't see the future plays, and we may not understand what is going on, but we know that He wins in the end. 

What does this have to do with you?
It has everything to do with you.

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From Cossondra:

George, David, and Us

You sent for me, sir?

Yes, Clarence. A man down on Earth needs our help.

Splendid. Is he sick?

No, worse. He's' discouraged.

If you are familiar with the movie It's a Wonderful Life, then you probably recognize this exchange. It is between two angels preparing to help George Bailey, a man who has experienced several crushing disappointments in his life. Until this point, he has refocused and pressed forward, but this time is different. To George, it seems that he is being consumed by a situation that he cannot escape. But that's not all. Those other disappointments have come roaring back to his mind, and they are weighing him down, taking away his will to fight.

Discouragement is a powerful emotion. It can be a truly dark place to sit. Discouragement can become a lens – foggy and foul – through which everything is viewed. Even good things can lose their meaning when viewed through discouragement.

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