Seven Ways to Break Discouragement
The word of God is full of encouragement to keep our heads up when we want to give up. Giving up is not an option for believers. Quitting is not even a possibility for those of us in Christ.
Every time God’s people went after His promise, God was faithful to tell them how He would handle their warfare.
Moses encouraged the Israelites, “The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” - Deut 31:8 NASB95
After Moses died and the leadership of God’s people was transferred to Joshua, the Lord said, Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” - Josh 1:9 NKJV
Three times in nine verses, God said: “Be strong and courageous.”
God desires that we lean on Him for our strength. When we are drained, weary, and discouraged, that is when we need to rest in the Lord more than ever.
Sometimes we have to praise ourselves into joy and talk ourselves into sanity.
David knew this when he preached to himself. Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God. – Ps 42:11
I think this was one of the earliest representations of a person using the technique of personal investigation. David asked himself what was wrong. He knew that the LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Ps 34:18).
During Apostle Paul’s years of ministry, he had times when it seemed as if he would die, and at other times he was enthusiastic about his future. We have all been there. Good and bad days come with life.
Paul said, 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—10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. – 2 Cor 4:8-10
Paul and his companions did not give up even when they were rejected for the sake of the gospel. They knew that the god of this age had blinded those he was preaching to.
The early disciples were subjected to all kinds of affliction. Lack of food, water, and sleep would certainly be a reason for a “give up attitude. Instead, Paul chose to be thankful and focus on praiseworthy things.
Depression comes when discouragement doesn’t break.
Some people thrive on chaos, and when they don’t get attention for it, they get angry, offended, or depressed.
Some people need attention, and when things are not going well, they must rehearse it over and over in hopes of getting pity and attention. This is most definitely an unhealthy reaction. Determining which emotion is at work in a scenario like this can be difficult. Sometimes it helps to bind the demonic spirits of pride, self-pity, and rejection. Not allowing them to speak to the individual can help that person hear more clearly from the Holy Spirit about the root of their behavior.
The result of our faith is not always seen right away. Something in our character is being built while we wait for God to come through. When we get discouraged, we start to dig up our seed of faith. That thing we believe for can’t show up if we give up.
Seven things you can do when you are discouraged. These seven things will break discouragement right away, but you must continue in them.
1. Cast your burdens on Jesus. Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. – Ps 55:22 and casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. – 1 Pe 5:7
These scriptures give us a visual of throwing something off of us and onto Jesus. Cast means to throw or fling the responsibility of the discouragement onto someone else. In this case, we have permission to put it on Christ. He took it already.
2. Wait for God to come through. Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; - Ps 27:14
The testing of our faith produces endurance. We will always have trials in this world, but when we stand in faith and wait for our needs to be met, we grow stronger and more prepared for the next test or trial.
3. Rely on God’s Strength. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. – Phil 4:13
God’s grace is sufficient for you in any situation. His strength is perfected in your weakness. Rely on the Holy Spirit to see you through whatever challenge you are facing.
My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. – Ps 73:26
Make your confession sure. Say it out loud so the enemy can hear you that God is the strength of your heart and your portion forever.
4. Trust in the Lord. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. – Prov 3:5-6
Trusting in the Lord means once you give Him something, you don’t pick it back up. It means that you make your request known to Him, are thankful that you can do so, and allow Him to meet the need in His timing.
You can never force God to fix something on your timetable. He alone knows how He will produce the outcome. God’s focus is always on your heart. He knows you will be coming home one day, and all your riches will remain on the earth. He isn’t too concerned about your comforts as much as He is about your heart.
5. Praise God. Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty expanse. Praise Him for His mighty deeds; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness. Praise Him with trumpet sound; Praise Him with harp and lyre. Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe. Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord! - Psalms 50
No matter what is happening in you, around you, or to you, you have power in your praise! Bless the Lord with your praise. Shout with joy to the One who will bring you through. Acknowledge He is sovereign over you and your life because you are His. Remind God of the benefits He promises as His child. (Ps 103)
Praise until you break through the discouragement and your soul overflows with His love and goodness!
6. Pray in the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, - Jude 20
Building means to strengthen. Fortify yourself and others with your praise. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, - Eph 6:18a
No matter what it is, God knows. Ask Him to help you. When you don’t know what to do or how you can get through what you are facing, He knows. Ask Him. He gives wisdom without restraint. Holy Spirit even prays for us when we don’t know how to pray.
For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. - Rom 8:27
7. Rest in Jesus. Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” - Matt 11:28-30
After you have done all that you can do to be encouraged, take one last step and draw near to God. Remember the famous words of Jesus, “Come to Me.”
Everything we are going through in this life is temporary. None of it will last forever. Take a different perspective and choose to hope rather than be discouraged. Have faith instead of fear. Believe God without doubting. Don’t run from Him; run to Him!
Let's pray,
Heavenly Father, I choose to look to You, the author and perfecter of my faith. You brought me this far; You will not let go of me now. Help me to lean on You in times of discouragement and frustration. When disappointment comes, remind me that it only lasts a little while. Thank You for the comfort You provide through Your Spirit. In Jesus name, amen.
Comments