Invitation and Challenge - the valley of discouragement

In my last post, we looked at the two aspects of the discipling relationship - Invitation and Challenge.  Depending on how much you are experiencing of each at any particular time, you may be bored, comfortable, discouraged or empowered.

The place we want to move to in various parts of our walk with Jesus, is the empowered quadrant by opening ourselves to increasing levels of invitation and challenge.  When we seek to do that, we will almost always go through the discouraged quadrant.



That is OK.  It is to be expected.  Whenever there is an increase in challenge, there is an increase in stress and we can feel inadequate, scared, uncertain, or fearing failure.

When you find yourself in that space, it is important to be reminded of Psalm 23v4:  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil - FOR YOU ARE WITH ME, YOUR ROD AND YOUR STAFF THEY COMFORT ME.

We can fee inadequate, scared etc.  but God IS with Us, and by HIS grace we WILL get through.