“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” Romans 15:4 (NIV)
Are you feeling down? Do you need a mood elevator?
Put down the chocolate. Don’t have a pity party. Pick up your Bible instead. When you’re discouraged, you don’t need a coffee break. You need a Word break!
God gave us the Bible to encourage us. One way you can think of the Bible is as a mood elevator.
The Bible says in Romans 15:4, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope” (NIV).
Take a closer look at that verse. Four words stand out to me: “everything,” “Scriptures,” “encouragement,” and “hope.” What does that mean? Everything in the Scriptures is for your encouragement and hope.
That’s a big statement—but it’s true! Even the tough parts of God’s Word ultimately are there to encourage your life in the right direction.
That’s why you need to spend time alone with God every single day. No matter what you call it—daily devotional, quiet time, Bible study—you need to get alone with God, read his Word, and talk to him.
The Bible says in Psalm 119:114, “You’re my place of quiet retreat; I wait for your Word to renew me” (MSG).
If you’re discouraged and have lost hope, I can tell you one thing that is probably true, without ever meeting you: You need to spend time in God’s Word. The more you read God’s Word when you’re down, the more he lifts you up. No matter how you’re feeling, you need to read God's Word. It is essential to your life!
So the next time you feel discouraged, don’t come home and turn on the television. Instead, open your Bible and read it.
God’s Word will give you true encouragement and hope, because it has God’s power in it. It is the only thing that has power to change your life!
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
Talk It Over
What do you turn to when you feel discouraged? Do those things really give you encouragement or hope?
We can fit anything into our schedules if it’s really important to us. Have you carved out time in your daily schedule for a quiet time so that God can renew you?
What Bible verses encourage you when you’re discouraged or down? If you haven’t already, pick one to start memorizing today.
This devotional © 2023 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Are you discouraged or even hopeless? God wants to encourage you and give you hope through his Word. Learn how the Bible is the best way to lift your mood in today’s #DailyHope devotional.
Rick Warren Bio
Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church, one of America’s largest and most influential churches. Pastor Rick is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Purpose Driven Life. His book The Purpose Driven Church was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th century. Pastor Rick created The PEACE Plan to address the five global giants—spiritual emptiness, self-serving leadership, poverty, disease, and illiteracy—through the power of ordinary people in the local church. His Daily Hope broadcast and daily devotionals are offered around the world. You can listen to the broadcast or sign up for the free devotionals at PastorRick.com.
Tags
40 Days in the Word – 2023, God’s Word, Depression, Discouragement, Encouragement, Hope, Choices, Bible Study, Romans 15, Psalm 119
Broadcast Series: 40 Days in the Word – 2023
Sermon Series: 40 Days in the Word (2012)
Sermon: 023604_Seeing What God Wants Me to See
