Little children, you are from God, and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 

I John 4:4, ESV

Do you ever get discouraged?

I have to confess that I do sometimes. I have watched with great sadness the names of all the great and important people who are accused of abusing minors, but who have yet to be held accountable for doing so, and I get discouraged. I see the statistics on those who prefer a nation where it is legal to have an abortion, and I get discouraged, I read the polls and see that fewer and fewer people believe that the Bible is God's word, that Jesus is God's Son, and that there even is a God, and I get discouraged. I see what is profane being honored among men, while that which is holy is mocked, and I become discouraged.

But then I see passages like the one we read above. and the discouragement begins to fade. 

And then I look around me and I still see so many good people. People who do believe in God, and who do hold themselves and others to higher standards. I see the innocence of my sweet grandchildren, and the joy that my brothers and sisters in Christ have when we gather for worship, and I take heart. And I read passages such as this:

I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world!

John 16:33, ESV

It is only when I take my focus off of Christ that discouragement sets in. But when I remember His love for me, and when I see the good and innocent and sweet things that still remain in the world, and in abundance, that I realize that all is not lost. It is true that there are some very serious issues that we come face to face with in the wicked world that is still ruled by the evil one, and we must do our best to rectify these evils, but we are not without hope. The wicked are often powerful, but they are nothing when compared to the One who is within us. 

We are Christians, and that means that we are sons and daughters of the Most High. And God is above all and is more powerful than all. Therefore, though we do sometimes have to walk through that ancient valley of the shadow of death, we do not need to fear evil for God is greater! 

Since this is the case, we should take heart. And when we become discouraged, maybe we should be reminded that the One who is in us is more powerful than the one who is in the world. That being the case, we should all have a renewed determination to take our righteous stands no matter how formidable the obstacles or how powerful the foe may be. Jesus told us to take heart, and that is exactly what we should do.