The devil uses a specific strategy to paralyze Christians.

It starts with fear, which comes in all shapes and sizes. Afraid to die. Afraid of what people think. Afraid of running out of money. On and on it goes.

Once you overcome fear, the enemy doesn't stop. He has a well-rehearsed backup plan:

Discouragement.

Both have the same effect. Whether afraid or discouraged, you are stalled out when you are supposed to be going from glory to glory.

As he was entering the promised land, God told Joshua, "Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Notice it's a command, not a suggestion. That means that God has already equipped us to stand up to the enemies called fear and discouragement and say, "No. Not here."

The next time you are tempted to be afraid or discouraged, all you have to do is say out loud, "I will not be afraid or discouraged. Absolutely not."