“The wind does not break a tree that bends ” which is an African proverb. It advises against rigid stubbornness in the face of challenges. True strength lies in the ability to adapt to changing circumstances rather than resisting them. To bend takes humility to accept your own weaknesses and the wisdom to know when you need to adjust. Pride leads to destruction.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3).
I have been wallowing in discouragement lately. I know that it is a normal human feeling, but I get disappointed that I don’t pull out of it faster. If you, like me, are feeling discouraged don’t beat yourself up for not trusting God. Situations can appear so overwhelming that we forget God’s faithful character. I have to remind myself that the feeling of discouragement can be powerful but God’s Word is more powerful.
“Be strong and courageous Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
I am retiring from a career because of the discouragement I feel about the public school system. I watch these educators celebrating student anti-ICE protests. Vilifying law enforcement is wrong on so many levels. Instead of teaching them to productively address the policies and procedures, they aid in filtering hatred toward human beings just doing their jobs. These agents have families. I watched students in our own town holding up FU signs, spewing hateful words, and even throwing objects at cars. These young people even turned on the police that were there to protect and keep them safe. It is happening in many cities. A student recorded shouting she would shoot conservatives if she had a gun. This anger will spill out on school campuses. Conservative students are made to feel unsafe if they support any form of uniformed officers. There is a video of a student punching another student because of his conservatism. This division is only going to get wider unless the conservative and religious communities get involved. That is where I get discouraged the most. Where are the church leaders telling congregations to get involved and bring some resolution by holding public school systems accountable.
The largest teachers union passed an anti-ICE resolution at their annual convention 7 months ago in July. It commits to help “organize against ICE raids and deportations.” The teachers unions are behind these anti-ICE protests. Calls ICE actions “Kidnapping.” Florida Education Association press conference speakers endorse student political activism as ‘rational’ and ‘required’ (February 2026). We are seeing this agenda play out in every city across America. Students are turning violent which doesn’t come out of nowhere. It’s a downstream effect of being told opposing views are evil and must be shut down.
Ex. A liberal woman in Maryland, Nancy Krause, weaponized CPS against Calvert County high school students for starting a TPUSA chapter at their school.
https://defendinged.org/investigations/a-sunrise-movement-training-guidebook-calls-for-students-to-take-action-monthly-to-disrupt-business-as-usual-to-bring-about-a-political-revolution/?vcrmeid=Jm57PCrhAUqSEM2ysfgVLA&vcrmiid=G0XiCG7JWEe_bdtOvjQ-3g&segment=OC0226NL
Trying to counter these indoctrinating ideologies can be immensely discouraging. When I feel like this I do turn to reading Jeremiah when he was feeling discouraged. He was warning his whole nation who would not listen to him. He was beaten and placed in stocks for faithfully speaking God’s words. He dealt with humiliation, public punishment, and I am sure loneliness.
Jeremiah chapter 31 starts by describing his profound national grief over the loss of faith in God. But the tone of the chapter shifts from his great discouragement, sorrow, and loss to God’s promise of restoration, hope, and return of the ultimate comfort and redemption through Christ.
When I ask if I am making a difference or not feeling like I am making a dent in my efforts to restore faith into our education system I need to turn my eyes and prayers upward.
“Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded,” declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 31:16).
If you are feeling discouragement today then pray with me as I ask God to help me discern Your voice from the enemy. Help me see when it is the negative voice of the spirit of discouragement whispering in my ears and have the strength to reject it. I choose to trust You and Your promises, no matter what I face. I know Your mighty hand will prevail. Jesus knows all my worries and comforts me because He cares about everything in my life. I know God uses even trouble for His glory, so let me be a continued source of encouragement and hope.
God Bless you all,
dreamsdontfade.com
This song is just the perfect pick me up in the way I have been feeling lately.
I've been acting
Like a brave heart
I've been playing
All their favorite parts
But it's been heavy on my bones
It's been weary on my soul
Would you lift me up?
Would you lift me up?
When the world gets cold
And it's all too much
Sometimes I need somebody to remind me what I'm made of, oh
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGX7nY8YQ04&list=RDvGX7nY8YQ04&start_radio=1
Trying to counter these indoctrinating ideologies can be immensely discouraging. When I feel like this I do turn to reading Jeremiah when he was feeling discouraged. He was warning his whole nation who would not listen to him. He was beaten and placed in stocks for faithfully speaking God’s words. He dealt with humiliation, public punishment, and I am sure loneliness.
Jeremiah chapter 31 starts by describing his profound national grief over the loss of faith in God. But the tone of the chapter shifts from his great discouragement, sorrow, and loss to God’s promise of restoration, hope, and return of the ultimate comfort and redemption through Christ.
When I ask if I am making a difference or not feeling like I am making a dent in my efforts to restore faith into our education system I need to turn my eyes and prayers upward.
“Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded,” declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 31:16).
If you are feeling discouragement today then pray with me as I ask God to help me discern Your voice from the enemy. Help me see when it is the negative voice of the spirit of discouragement whispering in my ears and have the strength to reject it. I choose to trust You and Your promises, no matter what I face. I know Your mighty hand will prevail. Jesus knows all my worries and comforts me because He cares about everything in my life. I know God uses even trouble for His glory, so let me be a continued source of encouragement and hope.
God Bless you all,
dreamsdontfade.com
This song is just the perfect pick me up in the way I have been feeling lately.
I've been acting
Like a brave heart
I've been playing
All their favorite parts
But it's been heavy on my bones
It's been weary on my soul
Would you lift me up?
Would you lift me up?
When the world gets cold
And it's all too much
Sometimes I need somebody to remind me what I'm made of, oh
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGX7nY8YQ04&list=RDvGX7nY8YQ04&start_radio=1