"I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory." - Ephesians 3:13
In May 1799, William Ward sailed from England in to India to become a missionary.
In India, Ward's time was chiefly occupied in overseeing the community's printing press, which was used to disseminate the scriptures, once they had been translated into the different languages and dialects.
In 1812 the printing office was destroyed by fire. He was able to rebuild and to continue to print. In 1818, Ward, having been for some time in bad health, revisited England. He used the time to raise support for the mission in India. He died in India of cholera in 1823. Despite his life’s many hardships, the Lord always encouraged him. Ward said the following about discouragement:
“Discouragement is dissatisfaction with the past, distaste for the present, and distrust of the future. It is ingratitude for the blessings of yesterday, indifference to the opportunities of today, and insecurity regarding strength for tomorrow. It is unawareness of the presence of beauty, unconcern for the needs of our fellowman, and unbelief in the promises of old. It is impatience with time, immaturity of thought, and impoliteness to God.”
Do not become discouraged during difficult times; the Lord is with you. Today in prayer, do not let anything discourage in your faith in Jesus.
“Too often, discouragement, depression, and disappointment grabs a hold of us with what seems like a death grip. This seems to happen even more after we commit to a consistent and deeper walk with the Lord.” - Troy Dewey
God's Word: "Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." - Romans 8:17-18
By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2012, Devotional E-Mail
DEVOTIONS IN EPHESIANS