Again, In Spite Of 

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

I first published the following piece in January 2017.  2020 was a difficult year for all. However, in our family, 2016 was a personal uphill climb.  We experienced the deaths of 3 loved ones, a mashed vehicle from an erratic driver, burst water lines, a friend seeking refuge from a harmful relationship and a couple of those infamous Goshen county hail storms that flooded basements and stripped vegetation.

The message then is the same in this new year of 2021.  John 16:33. "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.''

I wrote in 2017 and declare again in 2021:

Surveys posted by Facebook friends often quiz about our “favorites.”

What is your favorite color? Breed of dog?  NFL team? Etc.  Etc.

However, this year of both difficulty and triumph has given me cause to embrace a new favorite, a favorite prepositional phrase, “in spite of.”

In this year, in spite of deep grief, we have experienced God’s comfort and grace.  In spite of our loss, our cup runneth over in the outpouring of love from people whose lives have tenderly touched ours.

In spite of hail storms, basements flooding, smashed fenders and battered friends, God has provided and given us an abundance so that we can be blessings to others.   

We are testimonies to the words of Jesus in John 16:33:  "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.''

In spite of the tribulations of the past year, we are testimonies to the overcoming power of Jesus Christ.  In Him, we truly are more than conquerors. We have, in the Lord, allowed the seasons of our lives to overlap.  In our time of weeping, we have laughed as well.  In our time of mourning, we have danced in step with our Lord. Tears of sorrow and tears of joy often flow together. 

 In spite of sorrow and in the face of discouragement, we have celebrated and will continue to celebrate the blessings of our heavenly Father and the joy of family and friends.

In spite of the fiery darts of the enemy, we are experiencing an abundant life in Jesus Christ.   In spite of the uphill climb, the scene from the mountaintop is spectacular.

2021 is the year the Lord has made.  Determine to rejoice and be glad in it in spite of…..

 

Focus on the Solution to Discouragement

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Because of the circumstances surrounding us on the national and international levels, Christians must fervently seek to overcome discouragement.  To discourage literally means to deprive of courage, hope, or confidence.  Discouragement is a weapon of the enemy meant to weaken the army of God.

In our difficult world, we are surrounded, bombarded and often overwhelmed with discouragement. Negativity fills the airwaves, the newspapers and the coffee klatches. A spirit of discouragement has attached itself to many people, even believers.

The spirit of discouragement can be so oppressive that we may neglect to cry out to the Lord for encouragement. We may also be so distraught that we do not recognize the encouragement when it comes. 

We must train ourselves to focus on the solution and not the problem. The solution to discouragement is encouragement.  The root word of “encourage” is “courage.” In other words, if we want to be encouraged, we must be filled with courage.  Therefore, we first must be filled with courage in order to encourage others.

The Lord spoke to Joshua as he was stepping into the role of leadership after the death of Moses: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9).   God is the God of encouragement.

In the Word of God, we will find hope that dispels fear and fills us with courage. Speaking forth the Word causes courage to resonate on the air waves. Declaring the Word allows us to anoint ourselves and others with courage. Meditating on the Word—allowing that truth to become part of our spiritual DNA—enables us to move forward in boldness. 

When we are courageous, we find the confidence to seek solutions.  As individuals and as the body of Christ, we can find solutions that bring us hope and peace in spite of what is happening in the world system.  Teddy Roosevelt once said, “Complaining about a problem without proposing a solution is called whining.” 

Many times the first step in finding a solution begins with a simple question:   “What can I do to improve the situation?” As Christians, our first thought should be to pray. However, seldom do we ask God how to pray.  “Lord, teach us to pray” applies to more than the Lord’s Prayer.

We can gain encouragement by making a list of encouraging scriptures and hiding them in our hearts through memorization and meditation. The Holy Spirit will call them to remembrance in the midst of discouragement. 

Consider these words:

 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7). 

 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.'' (John 16:33)

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

In our learning to lean on Him, discouragement will be lifted and we can follow the Holy Spirit to that place where He has prepared a table before us In the presence of our enemies.  We will be able to sense His anointing of peace and power.  Our cup of joy shall then overflow in spite of the joy grabbing world around us.