Where do we go when we’re discouraged? Many of us find ourselves in front of our favorite electronic device (tv, social media, youtube, video games), turning our mind away from those things. Or maybe we go to places of thought that are even more discouraging. Or we even disassociate by engaging in a coping mechanism (overeating, undereating, drinking, etc). Are those places a source of encouragement? Spiritually? Emotionally? Mentally? Personally, when I’ve turned on the TV for a while I just feel down and can’t pinpoint why.

The Bible tells us of a time when David and his men were utterly discouraged, having seemingly lost their wives and kids. Here were their responses . . .

1 Samuel 30:6 David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.

David didn’t simply turn to God during the time of distress. I imagine that many of the men with him poured out their complaints to God. David saw it through, taking the time to find the place of strength in God.

Truth . . .

• God always has an anecdote to our struggle
• Crisis will point us to a space in God where strength is renewed
• The directive to winning in our circumstance is secondary to developing a clearer picture of the person of God in our soul

Where is the new space in God for you this week? Imagine some of His spaces – put yourself there in your mind with Him, and see Him turn discouragement to strength.