RISE, take heart!

**Psalms 23:4 AMP**

Even though I walk through the [sunless] valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me.

Discouragement can harm our lives, starting as a feeling, then becoming a thought, and potentially developing into a continuous state that affects our spiritual life. Discouragement can arise for various reasons; it is part of our humanity. I see it reflected in this passage about the valley of the shadow of death described in Psalm 23, as part of the journey of sheep. Encouragement is that force or energy to do, solve, or undertake something; through difficulties, processes, trials, or life itself, encouragement wears down.

I hope this four-day devotional can help you connect with Jesus, who guides us and provides encouragement in any situation we face.

**Matthew 9:2 **

And behold, they brought to him a paralytic lying on a bed; and when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."

How incredible and liberating these words from Jesus’ lips can be!

Your sins are forgiven... Sometimes, in our lowly human nature, we think that the more we hurt ourselves, the more deserving we are of this incredible forgiveness from the Lord. Committing a sin or failing to overcome certain weaknesses discourages us. Understand me; I’m not trying to reflect libertinism in this passage, but to remind you of the Scripture that teaches us, "Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more." His grace is greater than our mistakes; we only need to confess and turn away, and surely we will receive that beautiful mercy, along with those words from our Lord.

I want to highlight two things here... Brother, take heart... The sins you have committed, if you confess and turn away, and work day by day to distance yourself from them, you will receive mercy. Let’s not condemn ourselves! Let’s move forward; the Lord doesn’t want you to be going around in circles in that condemnation! There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus!

After that forgiveness, your assignment will come—there’s something new in God on the other side! You’ve gone around this mountain long enough... they told Israel when they doubted; today, the invitation to break free from cycles of condemnation and stagnation due to past mistakes is open. Trust in the forgiveness that Jesus extends to you today. Remember, for the new, we must discard the old.

Now, this paralytic was brought by his friends; they took him to the roof, so to speak, the miracle was provoked by the faith of the friends... by the encouragement of the friends... Now I’d like to ask you:

How are we encouraging others to know or encounter Jesus? Are we like those friends who, when we see discouragement in others, carry them to the roof?

There is someone who needs to be lifted to the roof, so when you rise, lift others, encourage others, and do what the Lord has done for you. That someone might even be found in your family. Be encouraged! Let’s lead our family and friends to encounter Jesus.

I want to conclude this Day 1 devotional by encouraging you to know that the Lord has forgiven you, that the Lord cleanses you, and that the path to regain your encouragement is through confessing what holds you back and so easily becomes a burden: sin.

Be encouraged!