Have you ever felt stuck in discouragement? That’s a silly question. I don’t know anyone who hasn’t.
When I first started writing, I sent off sample chapters to various publishers. Shortly after, rejection letters came creeping into my mailbox.
“Thanks, but no thanks. “Nobody knows you.” “Your manuscript does not meet our needs at this time.” “Blah, blah, blah.” You get the picture.
At that point, I had two choices: quit or keep pressing on. I’ll admit, quitting seemed mighty good about then. But after I moped around for a while, I decided to keep pressing on.
We all go through periods of discouragement. Perhaps you’re in one right now. Believe me, I’ve hidden in the cave with Elijah (1 Kings 19), under the gourd plant with Jonah (Jonah 4), and in the desert with Moses (Exodus 3-4). If you don’t know those stories, look them up. You will probably be able to relate.
Discouragement comes when there is a gap between what you expect and what you experience—when there is a gap between what you hoped would happen and what actually does happen.
Discouragement can destroy your passion and undermine your purpose. It can take root because of what others say or didn’t say—a mom who said too much or a dad who said too little. Unmet expectations can become the breeding ground for discouragement to multiply and take root.
We certainly see that in Moses’s life. When Moses was forty years old, he expected to be the deliverer of his people. But what he experienced was rejection and regret. Forty years later, when God called him to lead the enslaved Israelites out of Egypt, Moses argued:
Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue” (Exod. 4:10).
This statement that came out of Moses’s stuttering lips was simply not true. As Stephen, the first Christian martyr, reminded us: “Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action” (Acts 7:22). Moses had defined himself by his failure and was held hostage by a constant state of discouragement. Oh friend, we need to be so careful to not do the same.
Discouragement causes many a believer to pull up a lawn chair in cul-de-sac Christianity and refuse to venture out to the adventurous faith. They mumble the words “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me” over their hopes and dreams. They fill the gap between what they hope for and what they experience with the false belief that dreams aren’t worth the effort.
What we tend to see as a permanent condition, God sees as a temporary situation. What you see as one of your greatest setbacks might be one of God’s incredible setups for marvelous miracles to occur. If you are meeting resistance in your hopes and dreams, then you’re most likely on the right track. The devil wouldn’t mess with you if you weren’t a menace to his plans and a valuable asset to God.
What the devil really wants to do is steal your confidence, and the best time to rob you blind is during a season of disappointment. Guard your heart. Don’t be caught unaware and allow him to hold you back, trip you up or slow you down. The circumstances are, well, just circumstantial—collateral damage in the real battle to take away your confidence in Christ.
So don’t let the devil win. You are more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37)!
Let go of debilitating discouragement and take hold of your next assignment!
I’m glad I didn’t quit writing when those first rejection letters came. If I had, I would have never known the excitement of seeing one of my books on a bookstore shelf. I wonder what discouragement God wants you to push through to see your dream come to fruition.
Dear God, I’ll admit that sometimes I get so discouraged I feel like I can’t go on. When things don’t go the way I thought they would, I just want to quit. Help me to remember that my greatest setbacks might be one of Your incredible setups for marvelous miracles to occur. Give me the God-confidence that I need to keep moving forward in Your will. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Is there some area in your life that you’ve been hunkered down in discouragement, but now God is saying, “Get up and get moving!” If so, leave a comment and let’s share.
Digging Deeper
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f you are in a period of discouragement, my book, Take Hold of the Faith You Long For: Let Go, Move Forward, Live Bold will help you move forward and take the next step. Don’t stay stuck! Learn how to dream again. Let go of anything that holds you hostage to a “less than” life and take hold of all that God has for you and already placed in you.
The book also comes with a Bible Study Guide for groups or personal study. Women’s ministry groups love it!
Comments 48
God is saying, get up and get moving with persistence to get my principal certificate. God is saying, get up and get moving trusting him for my next job he will Bless me with & I’ll be fully happy doing. Amen!!!
Been trusting for a job got over a year. Got another rejection and I was quite hopeful. Ran out of savings and now in debt. At crossroads whether to move back home and have a lot of change on my kids.
Whilst I’m not feeling the halo 😇moment (cue the angel movie soundtrack 😃) after reading this devotion, but I surely do feel that this has come in a timely manner. Thanks for being consistent. GiG devotions have played a significant role in my life for over a decade now and I thank God for all 3 of your collectively and individually.
After ending an abusive, long term relationship, I decided I needed some self care and needed to make some changes. I started spending more time with God and digging deeper. I began working out regularly and changing how I ate. I decided to aggressively save to buy a car. I made goals that I was determined to meet. For the first time in my life I could truly say I liked myself, I was getting stronger, I lost almost 50 pounds, I bought a car. After about four months, everything changed. It was determined I couldn’t put off a knee replacement any longer due to severe pain and decreased mobility. I’ve had nothing but issues with my knee replacement, I’ve never gained my range of motion back. Then my daughter started experiencing health issues. I had to do some car repairs to deal with, finally I thought things were shifting. Three days later, I was in a car accident, no fault of my own. My car was totalled and I am dealing with post concussive symptoms and a neck injury. And trauma from the accident. I just had an MRI of my knee, which I’ve been pushing for, for months. There’s multiple things wrong with my knee. I’m just lost. I’m so frustrated and discouraged. I’m trying to shift, but I just can’t, no matter how hard I try.
(((HUG))). I’m so very sorry you are feeling so discouraged. I’ve been there. Would it be alright if I encouraged you because I have perspective? I’ve found it’s impossible for me to see things clearly in my own situation when I am drowning. I’d like to help you carry your burdens. I pray these biblical truths will empower you, because that’s one of the main purposes of God’s Word.
John 10:10 tells us about opposing goals “A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” This verse does not just apply to physical things being stolen, killed and destroyed, but every part of our lives (mental, spiritual emotional etc…) It also teaches us that God’s desire is for us to live OVER and ABOVE in victory over the attempts of the enemy. Ephesians 6:12 says “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.” I don’t believe we are to focus on our enemy, but to know what the Bible teaches us about him is wise. How then to battle? I love Exodus 14:14 “The Lord will fight for you while you only need to keep silent and remain calm.” God has promised to fight for us. Our job? Trust him and do not give into anxiety. 1 Peter 5:7 instructs us to “Throw all your anxiety onto him, because he cares about you.”
In the past, I was homebound/bedridden for 15 years due to physical and mental health issues. 4.5 years ago, the HEALER started miraculously healing me in every area of my life. This past year, I’ve come off all medication. Anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, opioids, and the list goes on. Most difficult thing I’ve ever accomplished in my long life. There were days I did not think I’d make it through. Yet these verses I’m sharing with you are what the Holy Spirit reminded me of all along the way. Ephesians 6 is powerful. In this chapter, we are also told to “11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil.” Check out verses 10-17 (I’ve got them printed out and pinned in my clothes closet). I listen to Pastor Charles Price’s teaching on Disarming the Darkness to gain clarity on what this passage means and how to apply it to my life. Here is the link to the Youtube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBa40xjSer_K1a0mMORHaUjxrV0eK7Klm&si=ac9jrQflCzgauNeg
God designed our walk with Him to be one where we CLING to Him in good times and bad.
Dear Father in Heaven, I want to thank You for being our refuge and our strength. That when we are weak, You are made STRONG. In times of struggle and loss, You have a purpose and a plan for us in the midst of our pain. Thank You for the opportunity to grow deep roots when the winds blow the strongest, and for Your promise that You NEVER leave us or abandon us. It seems that You set some people apart and allow intense difficulties into our lives. I believe Your plan in doing so is to reveal to us the truths we need to have imprinted deep on our hearts and lives. Jesus said He came so that we may have life in abundance. Help Jodi and I to learn to daily surrender everything to You. To keep trusting and stepping out in obedience, ESPECIALLY when it’s hard. When we come to the place where we experience all You have promised us and how You have designed us to live as Your Children, there is unending love, peace, freedom and JOY! Help us to keep our focus on YOU amidst the wind and the waves, so that we may ‘walk on those stormy waters’. Holy Spirit, walk each step with Jodi and remind her of every biblical truth that will sustain her in her daily battles. Provide all she NEEDS, according to YOUR riches in glory. We pray all of this together through the name of Jesus, AMEN~~~
Amen and Amen. I hardly read comments but today i did, this is no coincidence. So I thank God for leading me to read this comment, this has been so helpful to me as well. Thank you Tracey and God bless and remain with both you and Jodi in Jesus name Amen🙏🏾❤️
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I love how we can encourage one another.
Hi Jodi. I will pray for you. I definitely understand feeling like you are not getting anywhere. You take 2 steps forward and 1 back. I know it’s difficult, but remember you are moving forward, you are just getting some yield and detour signs along the way. Try to focus on the positive such as losing weight and at least owning a car and I assume you have a home to live in. I know from experience, because I have been housebound for 10 years with breathing problems. It took me about 8 years and several doctors and at least $50,000 during that time before finally finding out what was causing my condition. Then it has taken over a year and over 100,000 dollars to fix the hidden mold issues in my house. But I try to find several things to be thankful for every day and I do see them. I have a husband that never gave up on me. And family who has helped me with housework etc. I am thankful for the small progresses that I make. For example, a few years ago it took all my energy just to take a bath and then I didn’t have the energy for anything else that day. Now I can do all my own housework plus extra work like painting the house inside and walk on the treadmill. I have learned that I have to wait on God’s timing. After all, we are really here to worship Him. And we are not promised that our life will be easy. I hope this helps. Just remember, look for the things you can be thankful for and lean on God and family and friends. Ask for help.
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Sus, I love your comment for Jodi. It is so precious!!!
I’ve been stuck for awhile now!! Coming up on 10 years post divorce and I’m still struggling with 1 foot in the past hoping for some sorta reconciliation even though he’s remarried to wife #2 since our divorce. 1st wife was one of my long time friends!?!? (That was the affair that ended our marriage) Anyway, needless to say, I think I’m still living in denial that this happened!?!? Stuck living in the past but longing for a future unburdened by this and actually using my experiences to help others. I am a therapist and an aspiring writer. I was just recently published in an anthology with other aspiring writers with letters written by us from God’s perspective giving ourselves encouragement in the writing process’s!
Wow Sharon this is timely! I am trying to pull myself out of a slump. I went to my sister’s for my 75th birthday with my family and since I have been back in FL I miss them more. I want to move back up north to be closer to my family and friends but it sounds more like that is what I want and not what God wants, and I want to do His will, so especially now during Advent, I want to get joy back in my life. I bought a tree and decorated it and have been listening to my Christmas music. Thank you for this message I needed to hear today.
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Listening to praise music and Christmas music are a great spirit lifter.
I am discouraged with work, a family business. I can’t seem to get on top of my work load, one problem begets another, causing me to question why I made certain decisions, even though I know in the long run they are for the best. Many days I want to quit, yet I am responsible for this business and can’t.. I pray for wisdom and guidance to help me untangle the mess I’m in the middle of so I can move forward.
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I pray God will give you supernatural wisdom to untangle the knotted ball of decisions.
“Girl get up and get to moving “ Thank you God for the reminder. I’m yours and your plans are always better than mine 🤍
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Amen, sister.
Discouragement seems it can be a threshold into stronger emotions-
Temporary detours into dizzy states of confusion, fear, or doubt.
Thanks for the help found inside the words of this article.
Words spoken in times of need, either whispered or spoken aloud:
“Help me Jesus, help me”
Grateful for the help that arrives through Sharon Jaynes and others connected to The Vine.
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The best prayer ever. Jesus help!
Thank you so much, Sharon for your encouragement today. Your writing is always inspiring and reaches the place in my life where I am.
So thankful for you and your decision not to quit!!!
Beth
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Thank you, Beth. It wasn’t easy to keep going! I’m so glad I did.
My life has been in a whirlwind for 2 years now. My husband has in diagnosed with cancer and is taking chemotherapy. Our finances are dwelling. He was in an accident 2 years ago, and now this! Our home needs serious repairs. My daughter lost her job. My son was transferred to another state by his job. My son information me that he may have surgery on his neck where a tumor has developed! I had surgery 3 years ago and I am still recovered. I am a believer in God , Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Sometimes, I feel so beaten down! These human emotions tell me to just give up! I’ll never give up!! God has done so much for me!! I’m hanging on His promises and His Word!!
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Hang on friend. As I read about all these operations, I am so thankful that we live in a time when doctors can address each of these issues. Praise God. In another time in history, there would be no medical actions to be taken!
DEAR SHARON,
I AM GOING THROUGH A TROUBLING TIME IN MY LIFE, I NEED TO HAVE KNEE SURGERY IN A FEW MONTHS. THE THING I’M CONCERNED ABOUT ARE ALL THE TESTS, AND STUFF I HAVE TO GO THROUGH 1ST. THEN WHEN IT COMES TO THERAPY, I’M WORRIED ABOUT HOW WELL I CAN DO IT. THE REASON IS BECAUSE MY SCIATIC HAS BEEN OUT FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW. WENT TO A CHIROPRACTOR, HE PUT IT BACK IN PLACE, BUT WHEN I WENT BACK A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER IT WAS OUT AGAIN. HE TOLD ME THAT AFTER MY SURGERY COME BACK TO HIM. I ALSO HAVE SEVERE OSTEOARTHRITIS IN MY LOWER BACK. I LIVE IN 24-7 PAIN. AFTER READING YOUR MESSAGE TODAY TRULY HELPED ME. THE LORD MY SAVIOR IS LETTING ME GO THROUGH THIS HORRID PAIN, JUST TO HELP ME GET HEALED AFTER MY SURGERY. I PRAY THAT THE SURGERY WILL TAKE AWAY THE OTHER PAIN I GO THROUGH.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR NEWS LETTERS
SINCERELY LOVE
LOVE IN CHRIST
SANDI THOMPSON
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I pray it will go more smoothly than you ever imagined.
Amen 🙏🏾 – God will replace everything that was los. Grateful for each season.
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Amen.
“Get up and get moving”
How many days do I just want to bury my head in the covers and not deal with issues, but that still small voice speaks to me and won’t allow me give up.
Thank you Jesus for always pursuing me and I keep pressing on! 🙏✝️
Thank you Sharon for always being spot on for us!
Love and blessings to all
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Thank you, Debbie.
Years ago I felt God prick my heart into a new purpose. Speaking to me in the area of education and that it would be a center of learning for students. I ignored and brushed off as I was wrapped up in my goals in my career.
Fast forward to present time with getting serious about this purpose, rejection, detours, no answer/calls back. It all just feels so heavy and doing it alone (one physical body).
Just months ago, I decided to walk away and not pursue it anymore to minimize the stress of it all.
Then today, one of my closest friends sent me this devotion and it made me ponder on what God is trying to speak to me.
Thank you for sharing and I am praying that God, Himself will show me, help me in my next step.
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Following a calling or a dream is usually filled with obstacles. If you feel this is something God has called you to pursue, keep moving forward.
It’s a difficult time in my professional life and my personal life. Enormous changes that are leaving me feeling overwhelmed and tired. Would appreciate your prayers. Thank you so much.
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Two things are certain this side of heaven. Our ever changing circumstances and our never changing God.
Thanks for this on time reminder. The verse that comes to mind is Psalm 27 13-14.
13 I would have fainted, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
14 Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord!
It’s not easy to wait when you’re really going through it. It’s not easy to keep going when you feel you’ve reached your capacity. It can also feel extremely challenging when you’re forced to start over. I completely understand and am praying for everyone.
I don’t know the future, but I do know that God is with me, has been with me and will always be with me, even through my darkest days. God is with me even when I don’t feel like it. I will keep going, taking things moment by moment and one step at a time. I will be obedient even when I don’t understand. I believe we will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
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13 I would have fainted, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
I love this verse! Amen and amen!
Since my 40s I have had pelvic issues and the last seven years intensified even to the point of being diagnosed with pudendal neuralgia-I don’t know it’s true or not. I’ve been getting better daily, but I do my best to rise up each day with Gods armor; it gets me through and I have made a lot of progress with the symptoms but lately symptoms intensify and the products I used don’t seem to be working so I put in to see a menopause specialist but I have to pay cash. She doesn’t take insurance so I’m just praying that God opens the right doors through the right treatment. Thanks for your uplifting words. I’m 67 and I just wanted the best I can to be in menopause – thank you all so much. You’re a part of what helps me rise up to my health challenges and remember inside of me God is greater 🙏🏻God bless.🌹🪽♥️
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Hey sweet friend. Do you have medicare?
Dear Sharon, and everyone chiming in. I’m very appreciative. My sister says iron sharpenth iron. Let’s encourage each other and Keep Moving Forward and Making it Happen. That saying is from a Dear cousin in Michigan. I’m seeking God’s direction on what to do next. I havent worked since 2013. Continued Blessings and Much Love.
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Counting them with you!
I have been stuck now for quite some time my son is living with a woman who is spiteful, disrespectful, dishonest, and that has shown in her behavior in several ways over the past couple of years she and I have had some issues we tried talking about it and it exploded. She’s treated me worse than anybody ever has and I am 65 years old. My son is still with her. He says he wants her to leave, but he can’t figure out a way to get her out he wants it to be her idea to leave. She has a daughter not my sons that he loves very much and I have been asking God to help me get on the other side of this and an except what he’s doing I don’t know what he’s doing. He’s told me more than once that he wants her to move out, but since she hasn’t, I feel like he’s made a choice her over me and I feel unloved and needed and unwanted by my own son. I have struggled with this and God helping me. I just feel like God‘s closing his eyes, and I know that can’t be true. It’s so hard to see my son struggling in this relationship with her. I know he feels obligated, but I can’t get on the other side of how much I’ve been hurt. Any ideas any any suggestions? If y’all could maybe just pray about it for me I would really appreciate it.
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Hi Connie. I know this is hard. My suggestion would be to pray and step out of the way. This will be a time when God can work in his life. I also would pray for this woman. Who knows? Your prayers may be the very thing that God uses to soften her heart. Yes, it’s possible.
Wow, after reading this blog I purchased “Take Hold of The Faith you Long For”.
What Light and Love is conveyed through uplifting truths inside this book. Replacing negative with positive 🌅
Grateful Sharon pushed past those doubting publishers in years past – and remaining Hopeful.
May we remain and be filled with Hope… acknowledging this important ingredient for overcoming 🙏
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Thank you Jamie!
I just want to say thank you for this devotion. God lifting me up again through your words. I’ve been in such a discouraging season for so long, and it’s been one disappointment after another. The difficulties my family, my marriage, and myself alone have faced I really have felt like I can’t go on. To be really vulnerable the Lord has kept me alive when it has been so crushing that I’ve felt like I’m dying inside. But God has shown me what it means for Him to be my strength and refuge. And our foundation. He is my hope even when things have not gone how I’ve hoped.
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I’m so sorry you’ve gone through that. Yes, He is our sure foundation!!
I’m keeping moving!
Yes! I win because of Jesus!
Hello Sharon,
This is a great wake up message and so encouraging. I have this sentence on my wall!! Let go of debilitating discouragement and take hold of your next assignment! So awesome Sharon you have a way with words!!!!!!
We need to remember!!!God will shake the earth!! Stay in faith in all circumstances. We are so Blessed!!!!!!
Good morning, It is 2:15 am I couldn’t sleep so I got up to do our church announcement. I started reading this email and realize I am discourage at myself. Failure seems to follow me and I feel sorry for myself. I am in a dark place. I want out but it seem like I do the opposite of what I need to do. I ask for prayer and am hopeful that our Father is concern about me. I must believe HE is the joy of my life.
Nancy
I needed to hear this devotion on discouragement today. I wrote and published a 365-Day Devotional book in 2024 and it is not selling as I thought it might. I’m still writing and plan to publish a 100-Day devotional book the first part of 2026. If just one person is encouraged, that’s enough. I love to read your devotions. I praise God for you!
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What’s the title of the devotional?