Discouragement

     I'm in the Angela Thomas women's Bible study, Brave~honest questions women ask, on Tuesday mornings now. On pages 47-48 she discusses how having "a thorn in our flesh" can lead to discouragement (2 Corinthians 12:7-9). Her plan for battling discouragement is as follows:
I. Tell God the truth about how discouraged you are.
Psalm 69:1-3 Save me, O God, 
   for the waters have come up to my neck. 
² I sink in the miry depths, 
   where there is no foothold. 
I have come into the deep waters; 
   the floods engulf me. 
³ I am worn out calling for help; 
   my throat is parched. 
My eyes fail, 
   looking for my God.

II. Give God your discouragement. 

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
III. Ask God for His peace.
John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
     Satan would have us get discouraged and give up, then he wins. But remember, we know how this story of good vs. evil ends, God wins and if you are one of God's children, you win too! Praise God! KT

This delicate flower is almost 6 inches across and it grows on a cactus! Talk about thorns in its flesh:)

2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.