28/07/2024
Discouragement settles in when we are facing a problem or task that seems overwhelming if not impossible, when we’ve really messed up and feel embarrassed or ashamed, when we work our hardest at something and still fail, when important relationships are strained, when we have expectations for greatness but our limitations won’t let us achieve it. Many great people in the Bible faced discouragement. Moses felt discouraged as a leader when the Israelites couldn’t get along. Job was deeply discouraged when he lost everything, despite his faithfulness to the Lord. When we are discouraged, we can be in danger of giving up — on God, friends, family, job, even hope itself. In those moments, it can feel like everyone’s against us and nobody cares. What has been most important to us now seems trivial. Worst of all, we can’t see the way back to joy and happiness. What we do at this low point will determine whether we sink deeper in the mire or begin to climb our way back up. The opposite of discouragement is encouragement; it is also the antidote we need when we are down. God is our greatest encourager. Seek his help first. Seek the help of others who can help you put things in perspective, face what has brought you low, and plan the steps to recover. When you see a way out, that is the divine moment when hope returns and over time, your joy will return.
What causes discouragement? (see refs. at end of this topic for more)
Psalm 73:2-3But as for me, I came so close to the edge of the cliff! . . . For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.
Discouragement can come when we stop looking at what God has given us and focus on the prosperity of others.
1 Kings 19:3-4“I have had enough, Lord,” [Elijah] said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.”
Discouragement often comes after a great spiritual experience. Elijah had just been part of a huge miracle that proved God was greater than the gods of false prophets. Coming down off that spiritual high left him exhausted and vulnerable.
Numbers 11:10-15Moses heard all the families standing in front of their tents weeping, and the Lord became extremely angry. Moses was also very aggravated. And Moses said to the Lord, “Why are you treating me, your servant, so miserably? What did I do to deserve the burden of a people like this? . . . I can’t carry all these people by myself! The load is far too heavy! I’d rather you killed me than treat me like this. Please spare me this misery!”
Discouragement can come when we are overwhelmed by the constant demands and problems of others. We can reach a point where we become almost irrational in our responses.
Psalm 55:20-22As for my companion, he betrayed his friends; he broke his promises. His words are as smooth as butter, but in his heart is war. His words are as soothing as lotion, but underneath are daggers! Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
As for this friend of mine, he betrayed me; he broke his promises. His words are as smooth as cream, but in his heart is war. His words are as soothing as lotion, but underneath are daggers!
Discouragement comes when those closest to us turn against us.
2 Corinthians 2:16And who is adequate for such a task as this?
Discouragement comes when we feel we can’t get the job done, that we’re not up to the task.
2 Corinthians 1:8-9I think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and completely overwhelmed, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die.
Discouragement can come simply from the crushing burdens and heartbreaks of life. We often know more than we wish we did about many situations— about the real nature of people and their “dark side.” This knowledge combined with other hardships can wear us down.
Romans 7:15-24I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead I do what I hate . . . I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature . . . I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway . . . I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?
Discouragement can come when we realize that, as long as we are in our present bodies, we will have to fight against our sinful natures, which are working to destroy our relationship with God.
