High hopes

Discouragement is a huge factor in why so many of us lose our hope. A small seed of discouragement can sprout into doubt and then doubts can grow buds of fear, worry, wants. Before you know it you are living in the shadow of hopelessness. 

People become discouraged when their trying and their efforts don't match up to their own or someone else's expectations. 

Often instead of hearing encouraging words, people hear discouragement. And very often it comes from members of their own families or people they care about. (Remember Job?) "Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die." But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips.”

Job 2:9-10 ESV

A lot of times we get a mindset that it would just be easier to throw in the towel than to keep on fighting for something. We tend to give up or give in rather than face the struggles. 

We will take the easiest way out of problems even if the easiest way isn't what's best for us. 

Satan loves discouragement. He will plant those seeds by any means he can. He will bring them to sprout and grow. Because discouragement takes our eye off the prize. 

We need to hang on to hope. Look to the only One that gives us hope. We need to talk down those that discourage us even if they think "it is for our own good."

Have you ever heard, "Don't get your hopes up?"

Well what good are low hopes?

Why shouldn't we get our hopes up? My hope is in the Lord. How much higher can they get?

Be an encourager. Lift each other up. Build up someone's hope. 

Why not?