1 Corinthians 7:17 (TPT):"May all believers continue to live the wonderful lives God has called them to live, according to what He assigns for each person, for this is what I teach to believers everywhere."

As believers, we can either let discouragement define us, or we can refuse it and learn to encourage ourselves in the Lord. We can choose to walk in peace and joy, with a victorious spirit, by learning to build ourselves up in the Lord. Spending time in His Word fills our minds with His thoughts. Then, when we are faced with the temptation to dwell on negative, hopeless thoughts that completely contradict His Word; we can choose to refuse them, and replace them with what God's Word says. Do this enough times and those words that are filled with life and peace will begin to take effect on our thought lives, changing our dispositions entirely. Suddenly we begin to see challenges as opportunities for God to move on our behalf. The joy and victory we feel inside gives us a new focus so we don't fall for the bait the enemy sets around us to trap us into discouragement. Choose to see yourself as God's Word says you are and live the wonderful life He has called you to live - full of joy and purpose, and free from discouragement.