There’s a movie that some people watch every year: It’s A Wonderful Life.

There’s a scene right at the start of the movie where we overhear what is supposed to be a conversation between God and a guardian angel named Clarence.

“A man down on earth needs our help,” God says, referring to George Bailey. “Is he sick?” Clarence asks. “No, worse,” God replies, “He’s discouraged.”

Think about that for a moment: We’re told that being discouraged is worse than being sick. I don’t think they’re downplaying physical illness—it’s a very serious thing; but the point is that there are times when discouragement can be worse than being sick.

We know it’s true, don’t we?

After reflecting on his own suffering, but also the hope we have in Christ, Paul offers up these famous words: “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32).

With God…
–you may be discouraged, but you’re never abandoned;
–you may feel down, but you’re never out; and
–you may feel like you’re without strength, but you’re never without his.

Discouragement is a comma, not a period, in the language of eternity.

“If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”

By Matthew Ruttan

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.