Overcoming Discouragement

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Overcoming Discouragement

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr


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I wish I could say that life is easy.  But we know better.  We all face problems.  As time goes on we have to deal with failures, fleshly weaknesses (both physical and spiritual), rejection, things that break (usually at the worst time), becoming overwhelmed, and people that are flawed and don’t behave properly.

  • Sometimes we deal with family troubles and disappointments.
  • Sometimes we deal with brethren who are not acting properly – both in attitude and action.
  • We see the church is not growing as it ought to or even diminishing. Problems continually crop up that distract us and drain our limited resources.
  • Sometimes as we are trying to teach others, we can become discouraged – we deal with dull and closed minds, we face antagonistic responses, indifference, apathy, etc.
  • Sometimes, no matter how hard we are trying to do what is right, we fail morally and spiritually.
  • We look at our broken society and what seems to be a hopeless downward spiral of immorality, ungodliness and extremely bad behavior.
  • We also see the blatant intolerance of godly values and those professing faith in Jesus. When one stands up for godly principles, we see them maligned, ridiculed and perhaps even “canceled”.

These are just a few examples that show us how bleak life can become.  I am convinced that we all become frustrated and discouraged from time to time.

But how do we deal with discouragement?  For a few moments today I would like to address this subject.

  1. Why do Christians become discouraged?
    1. There are many reasons that can cause discouragement. We have already given a few examples, but digging deeper what are some reasons behind this when godly souls face discouragement.
    2. Because we do love God and HIs church. We want to see her excel and become all that God describes of her in scripture.  That is why when we see problems of all sorts, it can be very discouraging.
    3. Because we forget our imperfections and humanity – we all have problems that we must face. Whether about ourselves or others, we WANT to see perfection, but it is not there.  WE want people to behave (perhaps even ourselves) but they do not.  Others may not act the way we expect them to (because they are different).
    4. Because it is a tool of Satan – discouragement often leads to giving up and that is what he wants. It is just another one of his lies he will try and use against you.  1 Peter 5:8, 2 Corinthians 2:11
    5. Because we live in a broken and negative world – discouragement is all around us. And so are the elements to lead to it. WE don’t want the world to be the way it is, but IT IS anyways.  It seems like discouragement is a part of human nature.
  2. Discouragement is not wrong
    1. Elijah became discouraged – he wanted to die. 1 Kings 19:3-4.  Even after a most powerful spiritual victory against the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18), he is driven into the wilderness because Jezebel wants his life.  There he requests to die.
    2. David faced discouragement – throughout his life – while serving king Saul he was betrayed and forced to flee. As king, he was betrayed by his own family (though some of it he brought on himself) and friends.  Many of the psalms reflect David’s disappointment as he turns to God for strength and help.
    3. Paul dealt with many things that could cause him to be discouraged – 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 – hard pressed on every side, perplexed (but not in despair), etc.; 1:8-9 – burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. 2 Timothy 4:9-10 – Demas had forsaken him.
    4. Jesus faced discouragement – John 6:67-71 – will you also go away?
      The dreadful events that led up to His crucifixion – betrayal by Judas, denial by Peter, the lies that brought Him before Pilate, the hateful mocking, etc. In the garden, He pleads with the Father, “Let this cup pass from me…”  But then He submitted to Him – Hebrews 5:7-9, 1 Peter 2:21-23, etc.
      Hebrews 4:15 – tells us that He was tempted in all points as we are.
    5. We see in these examples that becoming discouraged is not wrong within itself, rather it is HOW you deal with discouragement.
    6. However, there are also examples of discouragement that were not handled properly.
      1. Sarah – she was barren. But after the LORD appeared to her and told her she would bear a son, it does not happen as quickly as she anticipated.  In discouragement (though the word is not used), she tries to hasten the process by offering her servant Hagar as a proxy.  Ishmael is born and that becomes a snare later in Israel’s history.   
      2. Israel at the Red Sea (Exodus 14) – after their exodus they come to the Red Sea and notice the Egyptian army pursuing them. They begin to criticize Moses for bringing them out of the land.  This is just one example of their constant complaining and ingratitude.
  3. How do we deal with discouragement?
    1. Understand that it is not wrong to be discouraged. We have seen that in our examples.  As with so many things, it is not the fact that we are discouraged, but HOW we respond that matters.
    2. Face it! Don’t deny your frustrations or struggles.  Anytime change is to be made, it begins with acknowledgement.    There are many who when they face discouragement give up and quit.  They say, “What’s the use!”  Some may deny that they are struggling with whatever it is.  For others it can lead to depression.  Rarely does denial work out – in fact it usually hurts you AND those around you (who have to deal with you).
    3. Endure it – As Christians, if we are to grow we need perseverance (patience, endurance) – 2 Peter 1:6
      Hebrews 10:32, the writer challenges these brethren to recall the great struggles and suffering they had already endured. 10:36-39 he notes that they still needed endurance, AND that we are not like those who draw back to perdition.
      Romans 5:3-5 notes that when we face tribulations (actually he says we glory in them) it makes us better – it produces perseverance (endurance) which builds up our character and our hope.
      We may not be able to prevent discouragement and frustrations, but we can endure such without sinning.
      Heb. 12:1-3 – consider Jesus who endured the cross, AND hostility from sinners.   Whatever you do, do NOT give up! Galatians 6:9-10.
    4. Look beyond the moment – sometimes we get caught up with the immediate circumstance and fail to think about anything else. At times this results in an inferiority or a martyr complex, which is NEVER helpful.
      A good way to deal with discouragement is to view the bigger picture of things.  Take a step back and take a look.  Maybe you have suffered a setback while in the midst of a project – BUT what have you already accomplished?  Maybe you need to look ahead at the end result as you work through whatever is discouraging you.
      John 4:35, Jesus noted, “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!”
      Elijah discouraged, 1 Kings 19 records how he wants to leave.  He says he is alone, but the LORD reminds him there are 7000 who had not bowed the knee to Baal (1 Kings 19:18).  He was NOT alone.
      When Paul was alone and about to die he knew he was not totally alone – 2 Timothy 4:17 – the Lord was with him.
      REALIZE who is in control!   1 John 4:4 – He is greater than he who is in the world; 1 John 5:4 – faith is the victory that overcomes the world.  You CAN overcome – 1 Corinthians 10:13
    5. Keep busy. You still have work to do.  Often times, doing something productive can help you overcome your discouragement.  At least, it will keep you occupied UNTIL you can move past whatever is frustrating you. And perhaps it will help you solve whatever you are dealing with.
      Jesus never quit – John 7:1 – after being rejected by many, He went to Galilee and got to work.  John 9:4 He said, I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.   Summarizing his life, Peter noted that Jesus went about doing good.
      Elijah, after he requested of God that he was done, was given a set of instructions (1 Kings 19:15-16).
      Luke 15:15-19 – when the prodigal son “came to himself” – he didn’t stay in the pig sty.  Instead, he got up and went home.
    6. Remember community. God has given us a spiritual family that we can turn to.  That is what the church is! When we are what we ought to be, we are there for one another.  Galatians 6:2 – we bear one another’s burdens.  Hebrews 10:24-25 – that is one reason we NEED to be here!   Proverbs 11:14, Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
    7. Pray about it – we always need to be praying. We cast our cares upon Him because He cares – 1 Peter 5:7.   Philippians 4:6-7 – be anxious for nothing, but with prayer and thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
      AND, when possible – have your brethren pray for you and with you – James 5:16
      Prayer can calm the soul.  When offered in faith (cf. James 1:5-6) it can be assuring.  As we mature in the faith, we learn to leave our struggles and cares WITH Him knowing that He hears us and knows what is best (cf. 1 John 5:14-15)
      Again, be reminded that Jesus continually prayed!  (Luke 5:15-16, 6:12-13)  And He is the Son of God Immanuel
    8. Trust in God’s promises – never forget who is ultimately in control. He knows what is best.  Faith is the victory that can and will sustain us through difficult times.  1 John 4:4 – He is greater than he who is in the world.
    9. With gratitude – Philippians 4:4-7. Along with prayer, we need to be grateful.  Do NOT be like the Israelites at the Red Sea!  Their ingratitude haunted them throughout their wilderness journeys and beyond. Rarely, do we find our troubles outweigh our blessings.  And as Christians we are taught to count our blessings and be grateful.  This is not just an exercise, it helps us understand how truly blessed we are.
      No matter what you are going through, realize that there is always someone in worse shape than you are.
      1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 – we pray without ceasing and in everything we give thanks.
      Hebrews 10:34 – you have an enduring possession in heaven.

And thus we see some things to consider as we deal with discouragement.  As we have noted, discouragements will come from time to time.  It is what we do with those times that will determine what we are and what we will become.  Discouragements will come, BUT they do not have to defeat us.  Think about it!

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