I’ve written about the seemingly interminable wait, handling setbacks, and the role of faith and hope, but I think now is a good time to talk about discouragement, the enemy of time.

We know that Satan wants us to be discouraged, but God calls us to something different:

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary (Galatians 6:9).

God, in His omniscient foreknowledge of us, knows we grow tired and discouraged. So He has given us comfort and direction in His word for help in overcoming this adversary:

"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

Here are some practical tips for dealing with discouragement:

Realize the source: Discouragement doesn’t come from God:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12).

Knowing this, use the tools God has given us: The next verse in the passage quoted above tells us how:

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm (Ephesians 6:13).

Do as Jesus did: When Satan tried to “mess with His head”, Jesus said what we all should say:

But He answered and said, "It is written … “ (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10)

In other words, stay in God’s word, the Bible, and He will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Keep busy: It’s not a biblical verse, but the old adage warns us that, “an idle mind is the devil’s playground.” Stay busy and stay focused on the goal.

It bears repeating - Pray!: 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says to “Pray without ceasing.”

Keep the faith!: I firmly believe this adoption will go through and that it is God’s will for us. With this conviction, I can say as our Lord did, "…With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26) and, "…Have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you” (Mark 11:22-24).