The Shadow of Discouragement

Homeschooling has its ups and downs. Recently, I feel like I am in a battle. Not between me and the kids, but between me, myself, and I. I keep saying it's mental! All-contained in this fleshy sphere perched on top of these shoulders I carry about. 

And quite frankly, I don't think I am alone. 

I think a lot of people are discouraged. For so many different reasons, of course. As though a long shadow has fallen over us all.

Ironically, the details of our battle do seem to isolate us even though we are in the same boat of discouragement.

And isolation is not even for the birds!

As a dear friend reminds me, be stubborn against sin. It would be so much easier to let the internal discouragement bring me to a place of giving up, but that is my weak self! I have a mighty, victorious God inside me that is readily able to conquer my despair, but I have to give up that part of me that strangely desires to hold on to the negative. 

It seems like a helpless place to be under that shadow of discouragement...and that's when we can all agree with Alexander; it's a 'terrible, horrible, no good, very, bad day' (a must-read by Judith Viorst)! And so, I want to plead with myself, with you, with us: Don't give up! Hang in there! Talk about it to God and godly friends. Read His Word. Be stubborn against sin. 

My discouragement with homeschooling is not entirely over, but I can confidently say that God's faithful light of hope chases away the shadows. He has brought in my life a supportive, encouraging husband, friends who listen and speak truth, Scripture that is personal and alive, and moments in my day with my children that I wouldn't trade for anything and I am indescribably grateful!

"My grace is sufficient and my power is made perfect in your weakness!" 2 Corinthians12:9