Defeat Discouragement

Psalm 42:1–6 NIV84

1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” 4 These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng. 5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and 6 my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.

1. Don’t Give In to It

James 4:7 “7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Many people give in to discouragement because they lack discipline and self-control.

We must exert our will power when it comes to discouragement. Determination and faith bring God’s power and help us win (James 1:12).

James 1:12 “12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

2. Don’t forget the Goodness of God

Ps 105:2 “2 Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.”

Some people are negative. Their pessimistic thoughts and words bring discouragement to themselves and to others.

We must be positive—look for the good, not the bad, and talk optimistically. By doing so we win over discouragement (Phil. 4:4).

Phil 4:4 “4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

3. Don’t Get Down from It

Ps 3:3 “3 But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.”

When Christians neglect to pray and believe God’s Word, they are easy prey to discouragement.

B. We must have faith in God. We must ask Him to lift us up and believe that He is able to keep us from falling (Jude 24).

Jude 24 “24 To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—”

4. Don’t Give Up Through It

Mt 10:22 “22 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

Self-centeredness makes people easy prey to Satan. A lack of love for God and others causes them to give up when discouragement strikes.

We must be filled with God’s love. Then we must reach out to help the needy and witness to the lost. We can win over discouragement if we “keep on keeping on.”

2 Tim 4:7 “7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”