DISCOURAGE
Today's reading: Ezra 4-6

"Then the local residents tried to discourage and frighten the people of Judah to keep them from their work." Ezra 4:4 NLT

Discourage-to deprive of courage or confidence; to dishearten.

Ever had your balloon popped? The props knocked out from under you? Your sails lashed?

It's hard.

It's frustrating.

It makes you re-think all you believe you had been told, led to do, are capable of.

It feels like the blood flow is being cut off to any ounce of hope you once held.

Here is how this verse was written in another translation:

"Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building." Ezra 4:4 KJV

Their hands were tied with doubt.

Their minds were filled with criticisms.

The fire in their hearts were doused by angry, accusatory, doubt-filled words.

Here is what we must remember...our accusers, condemn-ers, nay-sayers are not the ones who have given us the courage we need in the first place.

They cannot take what they have not given!

Our courage comes from God. And He is not in the business of discouraging His children in His work!