When Life Hurts: From Discouragement to Deliverance

Text: Genesis 18:9-15

Introduction

Last week we saw how fear can blind us — Gehazi thought he was surrounded, but faith opened his eyes to see God’s army all around.

But fear isn’t the only battle. Sometimes we don’t face an army — we face the silence of waiting.

We pray.

We believe.

We wait.

And when nothing changes, discouragement seeps in.

That’s where Abraham and Sarah were.

God had promised them a son.

Twenty-five years passed. Still no child.

They tried to fix it themselves — Hagar and Ishmael — but that only brought pain and division.

Now Abraham is almost 100, Sarah nearly 90. From every angle, it looks impossible.

Genesis 18:9–15 AMP

And they said to him, Where is Sarah your wife? And he said, [She is here] in the tent. [The Lord] said, I will surely return to you when the season comes round, and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son. And Sarah was listening and heard it at the tent door which was behind Him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in years; it had ceased to be with Sarah as with [young] women. [She was past the age of childbearing]. Therefore Sarah laughed to herself, saying, After I have become aged shall I have pleasure and delight, my lord (husband), being old also? And the Lord asked Abraham, Why did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I really bear a child when I am so old? Is anything too hard or too wonderful for the Lord? At the appointed time, when the season [for her delivery] comes around, I will return to you and Sarah shall have borne a son. Then Sarah denied it, saying, I did not laugh; for she was afraid. And He said, No, but you did laugh.

The Big Problem

Discouragement....defers our hope.

Hope deferred make the heart sick.

Proverbs 13:12 KJV 1900

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: But when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

Genesis 18:9–12 AMP

And they said to him, Where is Sarah your wife? And he said, [She is here] in the tent. [The Lord] said, I will surely return to you when the season comes round, and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son. And Sarah was listening and heard it at the tent door which was behind Him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in years; it had ceased to be with Sarah as with [young] women. [She was past the age of childbearing]. Therefore Sarah laughed to herself, saying, After I have become aged shall I have pleasure and delight, my lord (husband), being old also?

Proverbs 13:12 NKJV

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.

The concept of "hope deferred" refers to the postponement or delay of anticipated outcomes, which can lead to emotional distress. This deferral of hope can occur through disillusionment, direct disappointment, or circumstances beyond one's control.

Sarah was nearly ninety. She had likely abandoned hope for a child many times.

When she overheard God’s promise, she laughed quietly.

Her laugh was more than skepticism. It was disbelief mixed with fear of more disappointment.

It carried irony and weariness — yet also a hint of awe.

Somewhere deep inside, she wondered: “Could it really happen?”

Because discouragement had already written these lies on her heart:

“It’s too late.” – “After I am old…” (v. 12)

“It’s too hard.” – “…and my lord is old also.” (v. 12)

“It’s too foolish to hope again.” – Better to stop expecting than risk more disappointment.

Discouragement always whispers the same lies:

“It’s too late.” — My time has passed.

“It’s impossible.” — Not even God could fix this.

“It’s foolish to hope again.” - Better to laugh it off than be disappointed one more time.

God’s Solution

God Restores Hope with His Promise

God doesn’t leave Sarah in her discouragement. He speaks directly into her disbelief with one powerful question:

“Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14)

Genesis 18:14 NKJV

Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”

That question shifts the focus:

From Sarah’s weakness to God’s strength

From human impossibility to divine ability

From hopeless delay to God’s perfect timing

Here’s the solution to overcome discouragement:

God Confronts the Lie. Discouragement says, “It’s too late.” God says, “At the appointed time…” (v. 14). His timing is never late.

God Reframes the Perspective. Discouragement says, “It’s too hard.” God says, “Is anything too hard for Me?” Nothing is beyond His power.

God Confirms the Promise. Discouragement says, “It’s foolish to hope.” God repeats, “Sarah will have a son.” (v. 14). His Word is unbreakable.

The solution to discouragement is not trying harder — it is shifting from self-reliance to God-reliance.

God’s Invitation

From Discouragement to Deliverance (v. 15; 21:6)

Sarah denied laughing, but God knew. And still, He kept His word.

One year later, Isaac was born. And Sarah said in Genesis 21:6

Genesis 21:6 NKJV

And Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me.”

The same woman who laughed in discouragement now laughs in joy. That’s what God does — He takes our bitter laugh and turns it into a song of victory.

Application

Where are you discouraged today?

A prayer unanswered.

A dream unfulfilled.

A promise that feels delayed.

Discouragement says: “It’s too late.”

God says: “Is anything too hard for Me?”

Closing Invitation

If you’re here today and you’ve never placed your trust in Jesus, let this be your moment. The greatest miracle is not Sarah’s womb being opened — it’s that God opens our dead hearts through Christ. What was impossible with man, God accomplished at the cross.

And believer, if you’re weary in the wait — God’s word for you today is simple: “Trust Me again.” He hasn’t forgotten. He hasn’t failed. And He hasn’t finished.

Be Blessed

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