Reflect today on what tempts you most to discouragement

He kept shouting even more: "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Luke 18: 39c

Good for him! There was a blind beggar who had been treated badly by many. He was treated as if he were not good and sinful. When he began to ask for mercy from Jesus, he was told to keep quiet from those around him. But what did the blind man do? Has he succumbed to their oppression and ridicule? Certainly not. Instead, "He kept screaming even more!" And Jesus became aware of his faith and healed him.

There is a great lesson from this man's life for all of us. There are many things we will encounter in life that bring us down, discourage us and tempt us to despair. There are many things that are oppressive for us and difficult to deal with. So what should we do? Should we give in to the fight and then retreat into a hole of self-pity?

This blind man gives us the perfect testimony of what we should do. When we feel oppressed, discouraged, frustrated, misunderstood, or the like, we must use this opportunity to reach out to Jesus with even greater passion and courage by invoking His mercy.

Difficulties in life can have one or two effects on us. They either bring us down or make us stronger. The way they make us stronger is by encouraging in our souls even greater trust and dependence on God's mercy.

Reflect today on what tempts you most to discouragement. What is it that seems overwhelming and difficult to deal with. Use that struggle as an opportunity to cry out with even more passion and zeal for God's mercy and grace.

Lord, in my weakness and fatigue, help me to turn to You with even more passion. Help me rely on You even more in times of distress and frustration in life. May the wickedness and harshness of this world only strengthen my resolve to turn to You in all things. Jesus I believe in you.