This word is submitted by Teresa Seputis [ts@godspeak.net]

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                        Lean On Me

Discouragements will come, My child, that is a part of life. The
question is not (nor has it ever been) whether or not you will face
discouragement. The real question is: how will you respond when you
face your discouragement?

I know that there are times when you face it boldly, filled with
faith and confidence. That attitude towards disappointment pleases
Me greatly, for I am a faithful God. It delights Me when you are
able to put your trust in Me. Know that on those times when you choose 
to trust in Me, you will not be disappointed for very long, because I 
am at work in all things to bring My glory into each of your situations. 
The disappointment of the moment will not last--I already have something 
better in store for you, and I am well able to accomplish it in your 
life.

I have given you a well-spring of peace and joy, so that it is not
necessary for disappointment to have any power over you. I have promised
you a hope and a future, and I have given you a destiny. Yes, you will
face setbacks as you move forward with Me, but they will never overcome
you. If you keep your trust in Me, I will turn things around for good
in your life. I will transform your disappointments into seasons of
great joy and great overcoming, for I am a good God and I do have very
good plans for you. Keep on trusting Me more than you trust in your
circumstances, and disappointment will have no power over you. I am 
greater than any of the things that come against you, and I am actively 
at work on your behalf.

But I know that there are going to be times in your life when
disappointment gets you down. There are going to be days when you just
can't manage to be strong, when it is difficult to stand in faith
and ignore the circumstances that oppose you. I understand and I am
not angry at you when you feel that way. I realize that there are times
when you feel like it is time to quit, or to give up. Dear one, those
are the times that I want to talk to you about.

There are times when everything seems too hard and you think that you
simply do not have the strength to keep on moving forward. There are
times when you are unable to keep on fighting the good fight of faith;
times when you are unable to be strong in your own strength. And, dear
one, I have good news for you in those times: I don't expect you to be
strong in your own; I expect you to lean on Me and glean from My strength.
I will hold you up in those times; I will sustain you. I will be your
strength and your shield.

I will revive you when you feel like something has died deep within 
you--for I am the God of refreshment and renewal. I will restore your 
vision and I will set you back in place and I will fully equip you for 
what is to come next. You don't have to muster up your own strength in 
those times of great disappointment--just lean on Me and borrow My 
strength.

I am here for you dear one, lean on Me. I will not be disappointed with
you and I will not push you away. I will not disqualify you, but I will
restore you and set you back in place.

Just run to Me anytime that it all seems too much for you to handle,
and I will help you. I have not left you alone like orphans in a storm,
and I have not abandoned you. I am under girding you, even when you are
not aware of it, and I will strengthen you when you become weary. Lean
on Me, dear on, in your times of extreme disappointment, and I will
strengthen you. I will bring you through it and out on the other side,
where you will walk in My victory and see My glory come into your
situation. Lean on Me, dear one, and I will sustain you.