Last night, I found myself getting discouraged. I was sick all last week with Bronchitis and then for the past two days I contracted the flu…not exactly my idea of fun! On top of that, I am between two seasons – ending one stage of my life and entering the next, but God is not opening doors as quickly as I would like. I could feel the cloud of discouragement trying to wrap itself around me and keep me from experiencing all that God had for me that day. I immediately went to prayer and I heard the Holy Spirit say, “Be Courageous Cory, trust Me by faith and not by sight.”  After I stopped praying, I began watching a T.V. program which discussed the famine happening in Africa. Thousands of kids are starving to death and need help! God stirred my heart to give. It was honestly more than what I was comfortable in sowing, but I felt compelled to obey the Holy Spirit.  

Last night was an opportunity for my flesh to die and for me to grow spiritually. Every time we choose to obey what God is telling us to do, instead of our feelings, we grow spiritually. Just think, I could have been so discouraged and overwhelmed by my problems and the discomfort of my sickness that I could have missed a God opportunity. Those kids in Africa might not have been helped!

The Bible tells us that Joseph was put in prison for something he didn’t do. Despite him being wrongly charged, he helped interpret the dreams of two individuals while there, which ultimately paved the way for him to become second in command of all of Egypt. He could have been so upset for his wrongful treatment that he refused to help anyone. The Bible says, “Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.)

[He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap” (Galatians 6:7 AMP).

Joseph learned this principle of reaping and sowing. He recognized that God ultimately was his vindicator and as long as he kept sowing good seed, it eventually would yield an amazing crop in due season and at the appointed time. The passage in Galatians goes on to say, “And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.” (Galatians 6:9 AMP).

We also, will reap a harvest of good fruit if we keep sowing despite our feelings or lack thereof! We are to proceed forward in life led by the promptings of the Holy Spirit and not by the way we feel. I think it is interesting that the Holy Spirit spoke to me, “Be Courageous” and this verse tells us not to lose our courage! We are to approach life with a heart of courage just like God commanded Joshua when he was asked to lead God’s people into the Promise Land.

When everything in you is telling you to have a pity party and be self-absorbed, push past those feelings and ask God what He wants you to accomplish today! There is someone out there who needs what you have to offer today…it could be a spouse, a child, a friend or coworker. Or maybe it could be several children across the globe that need you! Remember, the way to get to your breakthrough is sowing good seed! We reap what we sow. You can do it…you can overcome…you can be courageous! Your breakthrough is coming!