Best Discouragements Poems
When there’s nothing you can do but linger
In a good book, a movie or game…
Because the dear Lord used his gentle finger
To leave the country in a frosty sparkle,
Just like a wonderland, kissed perfection,
Moody hues of melancholy, blended beautiful,
In whispers of sunlit moments, silent reflection,
Erases all the fears, the tears, the discouragements.
Snow falls quietly, blinding the temptations,
Leaving a lonely ache, despite its gladness,
Joy for free in those who breathe fascinations,
Grace, hope and love that believe in always.
While we spend our moments, resting,
Smiling through tranquility – soft music
Coloring the moments in gold, protesting,
Will these snow days lessen our stress?
As the snowflakes drift through the night,
Spreading the beauty throughout our life,
Moments bleed joy with a peaceful light,
Reaching beyond the rivers of our worst strife.
Even though we often admire this creation,
All white and graceful like a postcard,
We fail to share thanks for this lovely sensation,
The melody of a moment built into destiny.
Yes, God, I’m grateful for the beauty of your light,
Caressing the soul with a blanket of hope,
Falling gently, soothing away the darkest night.
Reminding me why there are always blessings in life.
Snowy moments are precious to our soul.
Cascading miracles who hearten and make us whole.
No challenge stops her
stance is set
shoulders squared
She needs no reassurance
no protective arm
What she wants
is what she wills
she harbors no illusions
No man will tell her
what to do
She has lain out
her own way
and swept it clean
No distraction is allowed
to interfere
Her goals are set
and bannered, waiting
for distant days
She will claim them all
in triumph, never doubting
Small of stature
great of heart
she turns to face the wind
Gentle as a running stream
Unyielding as a diamond
She acknowledges
the difficulties
then passes through
No lie accepted
no truth denied
She scans the road ahead
weighs its options
gaze sure and steady
Fears are felt
then disregarded
She does not move back
she sets her grip upon
each thing she wants
Her goals must surrender
to her determination
A child in years
an elder's wisdom
sits upon her brow
Discouragements will bring no change
a mountain of resolve
Seasons change
worlds revolve
she sees it through
The end in sight
stays in sight
Such nobilities
within my child
humble me
Her father frets for her
but can never fear
This is my little bulldog
holding the world
by its pantleg
Naught that she needs escapes her
what kind of fool would try
Leaderboard paradox
Bard, crank or chatterbox
Irreconcilable
Most undeniable
Two titles possible?
Can't have all three
Flourish and elegance
Meter and relevance
Grasp of the elements
Sensitive delicate
Post the best poetry
For all to see
Building community
Post with impunity
Dishing encouragements
Never discouragements
Attaboy lunacy
Nice job! Spondee
Magnitude, quantity
Content moronity
Quality suffering
Sputtering, stuttering
Faster through brevity
Haiku for me
Where is the paradox?
Chatter and atta-talks
Raising poetic stocks
Moving up leaderboards
Elevates all their scores
Best that you just ignore
All your competitors'
New poetry
Elegant, painstaking
Beautiful, time-taking
Longer time finishing
Numbers diminishing
Falling so rapidly
Not even on page three
Drop productivity
Maybe you finish a
Poem or three
Status? ridiculous
Leaders? superfluous
Seek to equilibrate
Advocate, animate
Irreconcilable
Paradox schmeradox
Sharing delightfully
Cranking productively
Poetry supersedes
All rivalry
—————
For the “This or That, Vol 10” Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Edward Ibeh
Title: Irreconcilable Paradox
Date written: 02/17/2022
July 23 Scripture Meditations Based on Isaiah 49-52
Key Verse – Isaiah 49:8 Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages.
MY GOD, THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME
Thank You for helping me in facing difficulties
By Your strengthening opportunities…
Please keep my faith’s steadfastness over human frailties
Here am I trusting You with all my functional faculties.
Thank You for helping me in overcoming hardships
By Your upholding fellowships…
Please inspire my heart’s devotion over worldly friendships
Here am I seeking You with all my ministerial relationships.
Thank You for helping me in facing discouragements
By Your exhorting testaments…
Please meet my need’s urgency over temporal allurements
Here am I abiding in You with all my heavenly investments.
Thank You for helping me in facing crises
By Your fortifying purposes…
Please guard my soul’s tenacity over sinful forces
Here am I depending on You with all my distresses.
Thank You for helping me in subduing struggles
By Your empowering might to soar as do the eagles…
Please pull my devotion’s commitment over lustful tangles
Here am I clinging to You with all my life-angles.
Thank You for helping me in dealing with my deficiencies
By Your satisfying mercies…
Please supply my limitation’s lack over attacking insufficiencies
Here am I learning from You with all my inconsistencies.
Thank You for helping me in fleeing from temptations
By Your guiding instructions…
Please lead my wisdom’s decisions over foolish suggestions
Here am I surrendering to You with all my imperfections.
July 23, 2022
Who do I turn to when all roads seem closed by sin and sorrow, doubts and horrors… Only Jesus! – Quote by Poet
Only Jesus knows my heart
He knows how I feel and when I hurt
He knows my thoughts and my dreams
He understands the many worries inside me
Only Jesus knows my hopes
He knows how I wish that I was a better person
He knows my darkest dread and all my discouragements
He understands the things that make me feel so weak, so frail
Like a dandelion – dressed in so many fragile seeds…
As if just a breath could scatter each inspiration, every belief
All the joy that beats out a rhythm in my chest
All the wonder that makes me forget the past’s regret
Only Jesus knows my destiny
He knows what has been and what will be
The good and bad – the happy and sad
The whisper of peace that inspires my faith
The song of praise that brings light to His grace
He knows all my finest ideas, the ones that erase
Each doubt, every fear… replacing the shadows
With light that pours out a sense of gentle quiet
Blessings so alive, so admirable, so enlightening
Only Jesus has the power, the strength
To bring elation to my spirit, pleasure that is brilliant
Wonders so alive and vibrant they feel like the Son
Shining hope, faith and love – across the spirit,
Into the feelings, where there is such a need for Him
The King of kings – the prince of peace – the redeemer
The reason I believe… His light shines through every pain
Freeing me from worry, despair and dread… everything
All the darkness of sin that has been in the past,
The anxiety that colors my life in shadows of doubt
The reminders that He is… the only reason I can feel
Like there is a better day, a brighter way – and I pray
He will never leave me… He will always abide with me!
Only Jesus… sighs, sings, smiles my breathless heart
The heart who is filled with a love, a light, the insight
That comes to life with the knowing… in my soul,
His love, His spirit, His joy is flowing and growing
With every passing moment, ONLY JESUS… reveals
The wonder of a peace that is more beautiful than…
… any hope, dream or fantasy!
Only Jesus… holds the key that will open the heart
… to believe in Him without a doubt
With the spark of a faith that never dies out!
7/25/22
And soon you will see that inside every impossible is the word “possible”…if only we dare to see it. - TerKeurst, Lysa. What Happens When Women Say Yes to God Devotional (p. 40). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.
Philippians 4:7 (KJV) “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Struggling with stressful situations,
I ask myself – can I possibly overcome?
Fighting my fears, the darkness,
I wonder, can I silence the doubts?
Find answers in the quest?
Can I work through the sorrows?
Let faith paint my heart in hopeful?
Fraught with worries and pain,
I cling to the shadows, marveling –
Can I make it through the greyest rain?
Can I reach beyond my dread, my despair?
Find a way through the desperation?
Grief and grace – both a part of my heart,
Can I listen to the beautiful?
And, erase the sadness that staggers me?
Resisting the demons who torment me…
With shame and guilt, humiliation,
Can I let go of the disgrace, the dishonor?
Find a way through the embarrassment?
Reach beyond the indignity, into the promise…
Bold and brave, the feelings that save me,
From the degradation… feelings of self-respect,
Brought to life despite a life that can reject.
Struggling to learn, to grow, to become –
I ask myself often – can I possibly find my way,
Through the aching, through the sorrows,
Through the disappointments and discouragements?
Can I reach beyond all the reasons –
I have for giving up on my dreams, my beliefs…
And find the courage to listen to God’s promises,
His light shining through my darkest dread,
His assurance filling me with faith,
His kindness reminding me that I am still His,
Despite all the fears, the tears, the years…
When I felt like I couldn’t make it through the hard,
When I wasn’t sure I was meant to know hope,
When I couldn’t let go of the panic in my heart?
Struggling on, I realize – He is my guide,
And, though I may feel like giving up on this life,
I know that, with Him by my side – I’ll find the light,
The lesson, the grace that I need to realize my dreams,
The promise of a joy beyond anything I’d expect to see,
A moment when my prayer is answered by His love,
And, just for a while, there is peace in my world.
Gathered with sister, my mother and kleenex,
Oblivious to our red noses, facial poses and tears,
Nudging each other with movie memory reflex -
Each of us embrace characters long held as dear.
We submit joyously to this continuous, intense escape
Inside the lives of scandalous Scarlett and romantic Rhett.
Trials and tribulations of civil war, deceit and love shape
Heaven and hell into a dramatic, unforgettable duet.
Torn, we watch as hunger, fear and surrounding violent war,
Harms character’s hearts and more discouragements pour.
Enemy destruction devastates Southern life and lore.
While wishing true love’s fulfillment for Rhett’s desirous heart,
Inevitably his sexy charm will wham our hearts like a wild lamb.
No one should dare interrupt our favorite, dramatic film art, or
Disturb Rhett’s last line, “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.”
The Young Dreamer
Virtual features, situations and events
Some full of happiness and others full of sadness
Without understanding ourselves we become involved
Only to wake up and realize it was unreal
As little kids we have visions
Dreams and imaginations to make us great
To grow up, succeed and achieve all we can
To make a great change and conquer the world
But here we are how many made it?
To the young ones visions are reality
As time goes on we fill them with discouragements
We expose them to the ‘ impossible’ attitude of life
Showing them how we were there and never made it
As we ask them; what difference will you make from us?
Doctors, pilots and great men in the society we have killed
By discouraging them and shutting them off before they hatch
If only we supported them, a different world we will be having
Let’s get them, embrace them, listen and encourage them
Assist them in avoiding pitfalls we fell into
And finally after they make it aren’t us the ones to enjoy the world?
(By Waweru Ngugi)
We praise God for His granted salvation
That secured us from grievous penalty of transgression
As He paid the price through His precious blood for our redemption
With His love-caused sacrifice for our forgiveness and justification.
We praise God for His blessings daily
That He provides for us tremendously
As He assures us His eternal presence wondrously
With His protection always shielding us truly.
We praise God for His peace-filled contentment
That gives us ever-satisfying replenishment
As He comforts us against worldly entertainment
With His sanctification that heals our envy’s ailment.
We praise God for His zealous revival
That smites our discouragements in our earthly survival
As He empowers us to cling to Him for His approval
With His strength to prepare us for Christ’s arrival.
We praise God for His spiritual refreshing
That allows us to commune with Him in His nourishing
As He listens to our plight, answers our queries, never rushing
With His wisdom and counsel worth cherishing.
We praise God for His abounding blissfulness
That calms our weariness in labouring in His kingdom’s business
As He brings us triumph’s sweetness in fellowship’s closeness
With His blessings to our faithfulness through His kindness.
We praise God for His grace in our growth's history
That enables us to share and declare the Gospel of compassion’s glory
As He reaches out to the lost, freeing souls from sin-bondage misery
With His truth and mercy, promising everlasting life’s victory*.
*Psalm 98:1 O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.
February 9, 2020
Edited on May 1, 2020
"There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky." Deuteronomy 33:26 of the King James Bible
Everything can be possible by God’s omnipotence, always right
Anything, yes, through faith in Him brings delight
Nothing is too hard along His truth and might
Something simple by His grace becomes beauty of wondrous sight.
Everybody enjoys good moments
Anybody as well welcomes blessed engagements
Nobody does not like to plunge into discouragements
Somebody must wisely usher others to meaningful involvements.
Everyone regards life as the Creator’s gift of goodness-leisure
Anyone acknowledges its price --- precious treasure
No one denies its value for the Almighty’s pleasure
Someone ought to be reminded of its worth that’s beyond measure.
Everywhere can be a place to share God’s love and mercy
Anywhere indeed with His guidance-fervency
Nowhere should I go against His safety’s constancy
Somewhere is my willing heart where He reigns as Supreme Excellency.
July 9, 2019
Edited on December 4, 2021
2nd place, '' 'Z' Contest, New or Old"
Sponsored by Constance La France; judged on 12/7/2021.
Title for the contest: DEFINITE ZEAL OF INDEFINITE PRONOUNS
Always begin with God’s goodness* to do your best’s fullness:
Build lives braced by His graciousness
Cling to His compassion’s richness
Drive toward faith's service-fruitfulness
Empower the weak, enabled against weariness.
Fulfill granted roles of stewardship; freely practice servant-leadership
Glow in the Lord's light, share blessings around sweet partnership
Hoist up the fallen, welcoming them with warm friendship
Influence others toward meaningful spiritual relationship
Join prayer-warriors’ fellowship to sustain godly worship.
Kingdom of the Master seek for spiritual advancements
Love the Almighty and neighbors as yourself in your engagements
Minister with care, meeting needs midst discouragements
Nurse the sick, cheering those that have impairments
Offer help, having been recipients of the Saviour’s kind endowments.
*Psalm 52:1 “…The goodness of God endureth continually.”
ABC with rhyme
February 8, 2019
2nd place, "AND SO IT BEGINS" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Line Gauthier; judged on 2/12/2019.
December 27 Praises to God Bible Meditations Based on Revelation 8-10
Key Verse – Revelation 8:4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.
PRAISE BE TO GOD WHO VALUES
THE PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS
Praise be to God Who values the prayer of the saints midst:
Disasters by His compassion’s devotion
Detriments along His command’s direction
Denials around His clemency’s drawing delight
Deteriorations with His charges’ driving dominion
Discouragements through His calling’s determination
Defiance toward His cleansing’s distinguished demand
Destructions upon His consecration’s discretion against deceit
Revelation 9:4 Praise be to the Lord for granting us His seal of:
Salvation security by His sacrifice
Sanctification settlement from sins
Satisfaction sufficiency against scarcity
Standard supremacy along His sovereignty
Statutes’ steadfastness through His Scriptures
Supplication-surety status upon spiritual stability
Success in our sincere servanthood and stewardship
Revelation 10:7 Praise be to the Saviour for
finishing His mystery that:
Expresses His triumphant greatness
Exposes His trustworthy goodness
Exclaims His tested gloriousness
Explains His touch of gentleness
Echoes His true graciousness. Amen!
December 27, 2024
Those past discouragements
and unheeded advices
made everything harder for me,
to reconsider love more thoroughly...
Did I ever find that true somebody,
who would have believed
so blindly in my unquestionable sentimentality,
and not in my loyal feelings living inside;
have I been so selfcentered
or put on a face of insincerity?
I eagerly searched for that perfect woman
with the urge of an irrational man;
unfortunately,I misjudged those wanting me
for their pleasure alone!
Oh,I could have been
so venturesome and silly,
and enjoyed the intimacy
so intensely desired by me!
Unexpectedly,I'm forced again
to reconsider love more thoroughly...
July 26 Scripture Meditations Based on Isaiah 60-66
Key Verse – Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
MY GOD, THANK YOU FOR GLORY THAT IS RISEN UPON ME
Thank You for Your glory that is risen upon me for my empowerment
Really shining midst sins’ defilement
Truly reinforcing my commitment
Surely afar from abomination-detriment.
Thank You for Your glory that is risen upon me for my testimony
Really bright though discouragements are many
Truly strengthening my faith when spiritually rainy
Surely beyond the glitter of easy money.
Thank You for Your glory that is risen upon me for my holiness
Really radiant against any unrighteousness
Truly refining my character-goodness
Surely toward Christ-likeness.
Thank You for Your glory that is risen upon me for my guide
Really brilliant despite transgressions side by side
Truly leading my mind to decide
Surely around perfect will’s door to where I can stride.
Thank You for Your glory that is risen upon me for my protection
Really resplendent even during gloomy condition
Truly guarding my heart and dedication
Surely along gracious compassion.
Thank You for Your glory that is risen upon me for my light
Really luminous especially at iniquity-darkened night
Truly illumining my vision against unbelief’s sight
Surely upon prayer-supplication plight.
Thank You for Your glory that is risen upon me for my victory
Really triumphant when feeling sorry
Truly subduing my transgression-caused misery
Surely over weakening doubt-worry.
July 26, 2022
We praise God for granting us His bestowments so timely
Supplying our needs, providing us sufficiently…
Our faith trusts His presence this New Year He assures wondrously
Acknowledging His protection always shielding us serenely.
We thank God for His endowed peace-filled contentment
Making us experience His satisfying replenishment…
Our hearts pray for strength this New Year toward virtuous achievement
Relying on His power to surmount temptation in our everyday engagement.
We honour God for enabling us to triumph last year by His divine revival
Smiting pandemic-caused discouragements midst earthly survival…
Our souls still cling to Him this New Year for spiritual upheaval
Believing His promises as we prepare for Christ’s imminent arrival.
We exalt God for His compassion last year, soul-refreshing
Allowing us to commune with Him in His nourishing…
Our spirits abide in His care this New Year for our service-flourishing
Meditating His Word, wisdom and counsel worth cherishing.
We glorify God for His bliss, cheering us in to rejoice in His gladness
Pacifying our fears and doubts while striving in His kingdom’s business…
Our vow this New Year is to stay in His upholding fellowship closeness
Sharing His blessings* through stewardship along His loving kindness.
*Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.
January 2, 2021
2nd place, "2020 to 2021" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Mohan Chutani; judged on 1/2/2021.