Section 7 - Discouragement

1. Having commenced to work, a soldier should beware of discouragement.
2. He should refuse to be depressed or feel incapable, to think that he has made a fool of himself when he has prayed, or sung, or spoken. Such feelings were common to the most successful soldiers when they commenced the fight, and very many often have them even when they have long been engaged in the salvation warfare.
3. He should consider what the devil would be doing if he did not seek to dishearten a soldier, especially at the very beginning, and particularly if he sees a soldier is likely to do harm to his kingdom...
8. A soldier should always remember that perseverance is all but certain to bring improvement, and finally success.

Now, I've only shared a third of the points in the chapter, but I assure you that the other points are no less direct. It is good to point out that the O&Rs are by no means commandments, but more simply guidelines, Godly wisdom and advice from those who have gone before.

How are you doing in the salvation warfare with discouragement? Are you refusing to indulge in depression? Feelings of inadequacy?

James has been a book lately that I keep going back to. I'm making a concious effort to choose JOY in all circumstances. It's not easy sometimes. But I am promised that if I continue to persevere I will receive a crown of life. Life is found in persevering faith. Be encouraged soldiers...there would be no opposition if we weren't assailing the kingdom of darkness and making ourselves noticed by the prince who rules this world.

'Storm the forts of darkness! Bring them down! Bring them down!
Pull down the devil's kingdom, where e'er he holds dominon!
Storm the forts of darkness, bring them down!'