O our God, did you not drive out those who lived in this land when your people Israel arrived? And did you not give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham? – 2 Chronicles 20:7

In today’s Bible verse, we see Jehoshaphat praying and reminding himself of what God had done for him.

Often when we get discouraged, we forget what God has done. We forget how he had helped us in the past. In those times when we feel really discouraged, it’s good to remind ourselves of all the ways God has been there.

Today’s Truth: Defeat discouragement by reminding yourself of what God has done.

There’s power in remembering what God has done for us. It helps us stay encouraged when we’re up against something big and overwhelming. So today, if you’ve allowed yourself to get discouraged, choose to remind yourself of what God has done.

Time and time again, God has come through for His people, and He will come through for you.

Feeling discouraged and want more devotions like these? Here is a list of all of this week’s devotions.

• Day 1 – I’m scared, but I’m Not Alone
• Day 2 – Fear Doesn’t Control My Life
• Day 3 – Say No To Fear and Yes to Seeking God
• Day 4 – Defeat Discouragement By Remind Yourself of What God Has Done
• Day 5 – God Wants to Help – Don’t Forget to Call On Him In Trouble

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Do you run to a friend and complain about how hard things are? Maybe you distract yourself with social media?

Today we’re going to look at what the people of Judah and Jerusalem did when they faced a huge army coming to kill them.

So people from all the towns of Judah came to Jerusalem to seek the LORD’s help. – 2 Chronicles 20:4 (NLT)

These people could have given into fear. We would have understood if they all packed up their stuff and moved away in the night. It would have been understandable if they all freaked out, panicked and ran around in fear.

Instead, these people did something amazing. They went to seek the Lord’s help.

Often, we forget that when we face something scary and overwhelming we can go to God for His help. We can ask for wisdom when we need it. God wants to give us everything we need to win the battle we’re up against in our lives.

Our job is simply to go to God. We have to seek His help. The answers we look for aren’t found on social media or by Googling. Rather, we find them as we get into the word.

So today, choose to say no to fear and to seek God. As you do, you’ll find that the help you need to face your enemy is there, given by God.

Feeling discouraged and want more devotions like these? Here is a list of all of our devotions from this week.

• Day 1 – I’m scared, but I’m Not Alone
• Day 2 – Fear Doesn’t Control My Life
• Day 3 – Say No To Fear and Yes to Seeking God
• Day 4 – Defeat Discouragement By Remind Yourself of What God Has Done
• Day 5 – God Wants to Help – Don’t Forget to Call On Him In Trouble

Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and begged the LORD for guidance. He also ordered everyone in Judah to begin fasting. – 2 Chronicles 20:3 (NLT)

When I first heard about COVID, I have to be honest. I was scared. There were so many reports of how bad it could be, and it brought a lot of fear into my life. At night, I would lay awake and wonder if I had gotten it from my trip to the store or from hanging out with friends.

I really felt a lot like Jehoshaphat did. I was terrified by the news. However, as I spent more time reading the Bible and praying, I felt like God encouraged me that I didn’t have to be afraid.

Just like Jehoshaphat when we face trying and difficult times, we can go to God for His help and guidance. And just like God did for Jehoshaphat, God will help lead you out of the trouble that you face.

Today’s Truth: Fear Doesn’t Control My Life

Most likely, you’re probably facing something right now that makes you afraid. The good news is that God doesn’t give us a spirit of fear. God gives us power, love, and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

So if fear has been controlling your life lately, choose to do what Jehoshaphat did. Look to God. Seek Him. Get the peace of God, and know that God will see you through the thing that you fear.

If fear is tormenting you, and you need some extra help, check out our e-book: 5 Devotions to Defeat Fear.

Want more devotions like these? Here is a list of all of our devotions from this week.

• Day 1 – I’m scared, but I’m Not Alone
• Day 2 – Fear Doesn’t Control My Life
• Day 3 – Say No To Fear and Yes to Seeking God
• Day 4 – Defeat Discouragement By Remind Yourself of What God Has Done
• Day 5 – God Wants to Help – Don’t Forget to Call On Him In Trouble

Have you ever faced something that seemed really scary? Has there been a time when you ever felt like everyone in your life was against you? In those times, it can be difficult to know what to do or where to turn.

In today’s Bible verse, we see that Jehoshaphat faced a vast army. Facing something like that would feel really scary. Let’s read about what happened.

Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army from Edom is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea. They are already at Hazazon-tamar.” (This was another name for En-gedi.) – 2 Chronicles 20:2

I can only imagine how scary that must have felt. A huge army was coming against them. They probably felt outnumbered and overwhelmed.

Read: Help! I’m Afraid.

And maybe you feel the same way. Perhaps you feel like you’re overwhelmed by the things you’re facing right now. The good news is that God doesn’t leave us helpless or alone in those times.

Today’s Truth: I might be scared, but I’m not alone!

Instead, God is there to guide us in what to do and how to come through difficulty.

Today, don’t give into feelings of fear. Just like Jehoshaphat, God will help deliver you and give you the wisdom you need to face the scary and big things in your life.

Pray: God, I thank you that you’re helping me. I thank you for your help in what I’m facing today. I ask you for wisdom today, in Jesus name, Amen.

The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. – Proverbs 11:24 (MSG)

There’s a lie in our society today that tells us that if we get more we will be happier. If we had more friends we would be happier. If we had a better car we’d be happier. If we got those new shoes we’d be happier. We see it all around us. So many people are wearing themselves out pursuing things in an effort to make themselves happier.

God gives us a different perspective here in this verse. Basically, He’s saying that if we are primarily focused on ourselves and keeping us happy and getting more things for ourselves that our world will be small.

When your focus is on yourself, your world will be small. And the reality is, the more you focus on yourself the unhappier you’ll be. God wants to use you. He wants to do big things through you and use you to bless the people around you.

[Tweet “Focusing only on yourself will lead to unhappiness – @studentdevos”]

However, if your main focus is on yourself, your world will be small. Instead, if you choose to focus on others and meeting the needs of those around you, you’ll not only be happier, but you’ll be more fulfilled. You’ll know that you’re being used by God to help those around you in a big way.

Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper— it only leads to harm. – Psalm 37:8 (NLT)

One time, I can recall getting really mad. In my anger, I ended up breaking somethings. Afterward, I felt really silly. I had allowed something small make me so mad that I had caused damage to things in my room.

And while breaking things in anger can be bad, often when we’re angry we can damage relationships too. The hard thing about damaging a relationship is that they’re harder to fix and replace than a broken toy or cup.

Today’s Truth: Anger is Destructive.

Anger can destroy things in your life. Learning to control your anger takes work, but if you’ll put in the effort, you’ll see good results in the end.

God wants you to walk in peace and freedom. Anger will steal your peace, rob you of joy and keep you from experiencing the good things God has for you.

So today, be on the guard against anger in your life. Don’t let anger have inroads into your life. Stop your anger before it grows and begins to destroy things in your life.

I can imagine many of us are feeling angry right now. Maybe you’re tired of all the COVID restrictions at your school. Because of that, you’d give anything just to have things feel more like normal.

You could be mad at a teacher because she’s favoring some students and you feel left out. Perhaps your anger stems from a bully at school. You feel threatened by them and it makes you really mad.

Anger often finds it’s way into our lives when we feel threatened or feel like we have needs that aren’t being met.

Today’s Truth: Jesus provides freedom from anger.

God doesn’t want you to live your life full of anger. There is always hope in Jesus. He wants to help you walk in freedom from anger.

So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. – John 8:36 (NLT)

Go to God. Ask Him for help in overcoming anger. If you’ll listen, He’ll bring a scripture to mind or give you an idea of how you can overcome the anger in your life today.

Pray: Jesus, I know that you came to give me freedom. I know that with your help I can overcome anger. Give me supernatural ideas, wisdom and strength to defeat the anger in my life today. In your name, Amen.