It's hard to rise if you haven't died first.

Dr. Tony Evans says before God sets us free from discouragement,

we need to learn the lessons trials can teach us.

We want to skip those passages that talk about the struggle and the trial and the pain and the pressure

and the brokenness that God often requires before He brings about the glory.

This is the alternative with Dr. Tony Evans.

The author, speaker, senior pastor of Oaklef Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas

and president of the Urban Alternative.

Christ died to give us freedom, but there are things that can keep us from feeling or acting like we're really free.

Let's join Dr. Evans as he talks about one of the biggest barriers to our spiritual freedom and what we can do about it.

Many people are living under a cloudy sky.

Every day is overcast and foggy.

Just won't go away.

And even when it's not raining, it looks like it's getting ready to rain on your parade.

And you are operating in discouragement.

Discaagement leads to depression.

Depression long enough leads to despair.

Despair long enough can even lead to death.

Or because you were discouraged and you were on a train with no light at the end of the tunnel.

Or the only light that was there was that of an oncoming train.

So I want to talk to you about discouragement.

We are talking about momentary discouragement.

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