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We all become discouraged sometimes, it's just one of those common denominators of our humanness. Discouragement can drag us down and cripple us if we let. How can the Bible help overcome discouragement?
If you pick apart the feeling of discouragement, you find that it’s really a set of feelings. In it there is weariness, “I’m so tired of trying this over and over and never getting anywhere.” There is sadness, “Why, God?” There is impatience, “Isn’t this ever going to change?” There is frustration, “Argh!” There is fear or anxiety, “If something doesn’t change, I don’t know what will happen.” And, there is a sense of aloneness, “No one knows what I’ve been through.” To really conquer discouragement, we need to hit it on all fronts.
Discouragement is very tiring. We feel like we’ve covered the same ground over and over and gotten nowhere. Weariness keeps us from doing those things that would help us overcome our situation. We start to lose heart along with our energy. The weariness of discouragement is much like depression and it is when we are most tired that we must press on and do those things we know are right for us again and again and still again, having faith that God will honor our work. “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9 KJV)
Discouragement can bring great sadness with it. Our discouraging circumstances make us feel like no matter what we try it doesn’t help. We grieve for resolution, for relief and when it doesn’t come our unhappiness compounds. We may feel that no one cares, not even God. But this is not true. “For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.” (Psalm 116:8 KJV)
God cares very much about our feelings. “And the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces;” (Isaiah 25:b KJV) He doesn’t like to see us unhappy or discouraged. No matter what has caused your discouragement, He is there to help you with the feelings. Turn to Him in prayer and read the Scriptures for comfort. Seek out the help of your pastor or Christian friends. God wants to comfort us; we need to go to Him so that He can.
Impatience comes when we are waiting for something in our circumstances to change and that change doesn’t come when we hoped it would. We get restless and feel like we’re at a standstill, spinning our wheels uselessly. Many times, the very thing that we need to learn out of the situation is patience. It is through those situations that make us impatient that we finally learn patience. “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;” (Psalm 37:7a NKJV)
Rest in the Lord? You want me to rest? This has to be taken care of! God knows what you need and He is faithful to provide it. Rest is exactly what impatience calls for. When we are able to get quiet and calm, then we are able to communicate with the Lord. “I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, and heard my cry.” (Psalm 40:1b NKJV)
Frustration is anger that has no specific target. When we are discouraged, we often experience this kind of anger. We know that there is something in our situation that is holding us back or that there is something that we can do to make it better, but we just can’t figure it out. We get frustrated and feel like everything we attempt either makes the situation worse or does nothing to improve it. Everything we do seems to be in vain. This is what we are angry about, not being able to fix whatever has us discouraged.
God sees our situation and knows what we need, even when we don’t. Pray for answers and wait patiently, God sees your effort and will guide you. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (! Corinthians 15:58 KJV)
Fear or anxieties are often a part of discouragement, especially if our discouragement comes from worrisome circumstances. Difficult financial circumstances are notorious for causing discouragement and anxiety. Financial problems are certainly not the only kinds of problems that cause discouragement and anxiety, though. Illness, uncertain times, family problems and any number of other circumstances can cause us to fear. But God promises to be with us in everything. Paul reminds us to “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV)
Discouragement can leave us with an overwhelming sense of aloneness. We may feel like no one understands or cares about or circumstances or the things that have happened to us. Along with this feeling of being alone can come feelings of being powerless or hopeless. Discouragement is like a poison. It is a weapon of our spiritual enemy that would try and rob us of our soul.
We are never alone in our battles, though. God is always with us and ready to help us. With His help, nothing is impossible. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13 KJV) He will not forget us, He will not leave us, and He will not take His love away from us. In everything, we have a friend and a comforter Who is only a prayer away. “For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, But My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed," Says the Lord, who has mercy on you.” (Isaiah 54:10 NKJV)
You may not experience all of these elements of discouragement, perhaps only a few will trouble you. But if you identify those elements that are contributing to your problems, you will be able to battle them with Scripture. God has given us His Word for our strength. Use it as a tonic for your soul. And, “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14 KJV)
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