Defeating Discouragement!

Discouragement is a temptation “common to man” (1 Corinthians 10:13). And in dealing with it sometimes we need tenderness and other times we need toughness. But either way discouragement is not to be tolerated or wallowed in. It’s to be fought. If we linger in discouragement it can be costly; I've been there more than once. It is a sense of defeat and hopelessness that steals our hope and faith in Jesus. It can consume a lot of time. It can keep us from doing what we need to do, because we don’t want to face it. And it can even be contagious, weakening others’ faith.

When we feel discouraged we want comfort, which is right to feel. But sometimes the comforts we turn to are ways to avoid our discouragements rather than ways to muster our courage to face and overcome them. When this happens discouragement can become sinful indulgence in unbelief, leading to other sins. Jesus does not want us to be discouraged. Listen to what Jesus says to his disciples just before what probably was the most discouraging experience of their lives — His brutal death: “Let not your hearts be troubled” (John 14:1). Note Jesus’ words, “let not.” These are not merely comforting; they are commands. He knew they would be tempted to fear and be discouraged. Things were going to look very bad, like the whole mission was collapsing. What were they to do instead of being afraid? Believe! “Believe in God; believe also in Me.” In other words, “Don’t let your hearts be ruled by what you see. Let them be ruled by what I promise you.” And that’s what He’s saying to you and me too. During discouragement, it is time to fight, not tolerate it. 

Think of discouragement as your faith being choked. When you’re choking, it’s not the time to plop down in front of the TV with a plate of comfort food to medicate your discouragement. You need to dislodge the obstruction so you can breathe. You need to fight for life. You may need to get someone to give you the spiritual heimlich. Go get encouragement — faith-fueled courage from God's word. Don’t let discouragement choke you; it’s dislodged by believing God's promises. God gave us the Bible so that “through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4).