Discouragement is the subtraction of courage not the lack of ability. If we focus primarily on the tribulation at hand instead of God's ability to provide we may indeed lose courage, but if we stand in His promises and strength we shall find the addition of courage which is to be encouraged in the journey before us.

Jesus said, "In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Since the beginning, in every place of our world, we have as a race struggled with sin and it's consequences, we have struggled through tribulation after tribulation, and through temptations that so easily expose our weaknesses, but when Christ came, light shattered the darkness and hope was born. Christ, through His life, death, and resurrection accomplished what was before thought to be impossible. He has opened the door to a new understanding. Sin and it's ultimate verdict need not reign as the final verdict. There is grace and forgiveness in Christ. Death and the grave do not have the final word, but the final word rest with Him who is alive forevermore, and has the keys of death and of Hades (Revelation 1:18).

In Christ you can finish the task before you with grace and courage. Christ is calling you when He says, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).

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