Overcoming Discouragement
Edited from Heath Rogers
November 9, 2008

Christians are told to "Rejoice in the Lord always!" (Phil. 4:4). Joy is a fruit of the Spirit which is to be present in every Christian's life (Gal. 5:22). And when you stop and think about it, Christians have plenty of blessings to rejoice about. But living in this fallen world brings us many sorrows. Things happen in our lives that cause us to become frustrated, depressed and beaten down. Sometimes we feel like throwing in the towel.

Discouragement is a reality that everyone experiences from time to time. What matters is how well we can bounce back from it. Let us be clear from the outset of this article that sorrow, frustration and discouragement from time to time are not sinful, but a natural part of life. Life has its peaks and valleys, its ups and downs, its highs and lows. Many people are able to move from the lows back to the highs with little problem. However, some people get stuck in a rut and can't pick themselves back up. Does the Bible have anything to say about this? What are some things that we can do to overcome discouragement?

1. Be Around Other People. When some people get discouraged they want to go off and be alone. They may be too ashamed to let anyone know they have a problem, too proud to accept help from anyone, or too insecure to let anyone close to them.

The Bible tells us that we should do the opposite. The encouragement that we need to lift us up is found in companionship, not isolation. "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken" (Eccl. 4:9-12).

As friends and brethren, we need to be alert to the needs of others: "But exhort one another daily, while it is called 'Today,' lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin" (Heb. 3:13). A little later in the book, the writer put it another way: “Wherefore lift up the hands that hang down, and the palsied knees; and make straight paths for your feet, that that which is lame be not turned out of the way, but rather be healed” (Heb. 12:12-13). There are times that all of us are in need of extra encouragement. As brethren, we are to be close enough to each other that we can tell when someone is down and needs to be picked back up. If we fail to comfort a brother or sister in such times of trial, we may be held culpable in their present destruction rather than their healing to give future strength. Much damage to the cause of Christ has been done by those justifying their callous attitudes or harsh words as “tough love” rather than an ungodly lack of serving others. When we serve as we are commanded, we often find an added benefit of helping others with their problems is often found when we forget about our own problems.

2. Prayer and Bible Study. There are times that we need the strength and comfort that only God can give. This comfort is found in God's word and prayer. David said of God's word, "This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life" (Psalm 119:50). God's word gives purpose, meaning and focus to our lives. It answers our most important questions and calms our most troubling fears. Of all the things that the king of Israel had available to him, it was God's word that brought him comfort in time of trouble.

Paul prescribed prayer to those who were troubled: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:6-7).

Show me a person who is in the process of falling away from the Lord and I will show you a person who has already given up on prayer and Bible study.

3. Focus On Heaven. We need to keep our eyes on the goal. One night Jesus sent his disciples out on the sea and stayed behind to pray. Later He came out to their boat - walking on the water! Jesus assured His disciples that it was Him, and Peter asked to join Him on the water. Jesus invited him to come to Him, and Peter stepped out of the boat and actually walked towards Jesus on the water! Everything was fine until he took His eyes off the Lord and started looking at the stormy waters around him. It was then that he began to sink (Matt. 14:22-33).

The same is true for us. As long as we keep our eyes on heaven, we will do just fine. Our hope anchors and sustains us in times of trouble (Heb. 6:19). But if the storms of life are able to distract us, we will sink.

Things get bad from time to time. But Paul teaches us at least two things about our trials. First, regardless of how bad things are, they could always get worse. Consider what Paul said about his struggles, "We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed" (2 Cor. 4:8-9). Secondly, when things are bad, they don't compare to how great heaven is going to be. "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Rom. 8:18). It all has to do with maintaining a proper attitude.

4. Remember Who's Side You Are On. If we are on God's side then we are on the side of victory! Depression and doubt aren't characteristic of conquerors. Through faith in Jesus Christ we have overcome the world. "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith" (1 John 4:4, 5:4). We must face the trials of life with an attitude of victory. We have already won! Paul said, "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us" (Rom. 8:37). Just think about that. How can we be more than a conqueror? Through Christ we can defeat and overcome anything this world throws at us. Plus, because Christ arose from the dead, we know that we will defeat death and enter into eternal life. Just remember, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13).

5. Get Rid Of Sin In Your Life. Some Christians suffer from discouragement and depression because they have allowed sin to come into their lives. As long as sin is in our lives we are separated from God, and our conscience knows it. Confession and repentance is what it takes to solve this problem: "When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was turned into the drought of summer. I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,' and You forgave the iniquity of my sin" (Psalm 32:3-5).

Perhaps the source of your discouragement is sin in your life – sin that is keeping you from enjoying a good relationship with God. You may have hidden it from others, but you can't hide it from God. Confess it, repent of it, let God forgive it and get rid of it.

Different things cause discouragement, so there is no easy cure-all that works for everybody. But these are some things that we need to consider and try the next time we are discouraged.

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