In the classic allegory The Pilgrim’s Progress, the main character, Christian, tumbles into the miry bog, the “slough of despond,” and struggles to get free. But the heavy burden on his back pulls him in deeper, and he begins to sink.
This image pictures what it feels like when we’re sinking in difficult circumstances—when our debts outweigh our income, when past hurts won’t heal, when discontentment marks our relationships, and when the light of heaven seems distant and dim. Discouragement, despondency, pain, suffering—these miry pits along life’s journey can pull us down into our own “slough of despond.”
Christian’s rescue came by the hand of a fellow traveller named Help...and the same is true for you today. Use these resources to find encouragement for your own life...or to minister help to those you find along life’s journey.
It’s a waste of energy to fight the inevitables of life. The attitudes you fill your mind with will shape how you respond to life, so choose godly attitudes like joy, humility, encouragement, forgiveness, and love.
Our children are gifts to be treasured. They belong to God, but he has entrusted them to our care.
“Encourage” means to put courage into. There are many ways to encourage those around you—a sincere word, a kind act, a show of compassion.
You can’t avoid aging, but you can avoid getting old. It’s never too late—these later years can be your opportunity to make an impact. The time is now!
We will always find reasons to grumble. But complaining drags us down and can lead to discouragement, depression, and disappointment. A better way is to live in a spirit of co-operation, using our words to encourage and uplift those around us.
It’s in God’s refining fires that the authenticity of our faith is revealed. The purpose of these fiery ordeals is we come forth as purified gold, a likeness of Jesus.
Do you dream while you’re awake? Chuck Swindoll thinks those are the most important kinds of dreams and can even result in some beautiful changes in your life.
True friends are priceless. They believe in us, affirm us, and hold our hands up when we’re weary and unable to go on. If we have one true friend, we are rich.
Whether it’s at home, work, or church, God calls us to be servant leaders who reflect humility and conviction. By drawing on the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be models of inspiration to others.
The common denominator with every type of opposition thrown at Nehemiah were the strategies of prayer, purpose, and perseverance. The enemy of our souls wants us to stop praying, lose sight of our goal, and to stop working
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