7 Ways to Fight Discouragement: By Jennifer Maggioনমুনা

# Watch Your Mind ## Do not bow to the thoughts coming into your mind. Take each captive. The mind is powerful. This is why Scripture teaches that we must take every thought captive. We must not conform to culture and the sin so pervasive in it. Likewise, we must not bow to the endless thoughts in our mind that are sometimes sent by Satan and sometimes our flesh! Stop agreeing with the lies. I know, I know. It is far easier for us to believe some of the lies the enemy tells us, that the world tells us, or that we tell ourselves than to accept the truth of what God says about us sometimes. We battle many lies: > It's never going to get any better than it is now. I'm not a good enough mom, daughter, employee, friend, etc. I'll never have more than I have right now. No good spouse would ever want me. I'll always struggle with this . I’ll never have a good marriage. We’ll never get ahead financially. God doesn’t love me. I’m unlovable . The only way to battle lies is with truth, and the truth is God's Word. The truth is not how we feel based on our circumstances, for they are temporary. What is unchanging and truth-filled is the Word of God. The beautiful thing about the truth of God’s Word is that it is not based on what we see in the present moment – however difficult it may be. Today, you could be facing many battles – far and wide – but the truth is God is your provider, sustainer, redeemer, healer, and restorer. You may not know how He’ll do it or even why it happened in the first place, but we can lean on the truth of God’s Word. Your truth is not based on a list of principles you developed (despite what is culturally normal now); your truth is based on who God says you are. Your truth is God's truth. There is no separate, individual truth – only His truth. Take the time to write down every lie that you have believed about yourself or your situation. Analyze the lies from the enemy, negative self-talk, or words spoken over you by yourself or others. Then, find the Scripture that dispels the lie. God calls you His beloved, chosen daughter. If you can master the daily renewal of your mind, you will become a warrior in the spirit realm. ### Points to Ponder: * Draw a line down a sheet of paper with the left labeled “lies” and the right labeled “truth”. Begin to list every lie the Holy Spirit reveals, and take the time to research Scripture that thwarts that lie. Write it under the truth column. This step is a powerful process, so take some time to be prayerful before the Lord. Begin to proclaim each Scripture aloud, despite how you feel.