Dealing with Discouragement
Have you ever felt the type of discouragement that leaves you with a lump in your throat, causing you to doubt yourself, your competency, or course of direction?
I’m confident you have, as discouragement is common to all of us.
At various seasons we all experience this feeling–that’s the sobering news. Yet, the better news is there are practical, biblical steps we can all take in rightly processing and responding to the feeling of discouragement. The following are four steps I have personally found to be helpful.
Step One: Be Honest
Confronting discouragement begins with a willingness to be honest about our feelings. Contrary to what some believe, or you may have heard, there is no shame in discouragement. The truth is, shame is a tactic from the enemy that causes us to focus inward rather than upward. Yet, the Scriptures remind us that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1), and Jesus even invites us to come to Him when our hearts are troubled (Matthew 11:28).
Step Two: Identify the Source
When addressing discouragement, it’s critical to identify its source. If you’re anything like me, sometimes I’m unsure as to why I feel the way I do. Yet, taking the necessary time in prayer and self-examination to pinpoint the source of my feelings has proven incredibly helpful to me. And to be clear, no one and no thing can make us feel or stay discouraged. Instead, the feeling of discouragement is one we choose, and have the power to change.
Step Three: Seek a Biblical Perspective
The problem with evaluating anything from our own viewpoint is it’s limited, biased and if we’re honest, usually self-serving. Yet, from a biblical perspective, God uses all things, including discouraging things and causes them to work together for our good and His purposes (Romans 8:28).
Step Four: Address Your Feelings
Unfortunately, discouragement oftentimes dictates our emotions, causing us to rehearse negative feelings like an annoying, skipping recording. Yet we have the choice to either continue cycling through unproductive thoughts, or we can shut them down altogether by addressing them.
And this is exactly what King David did in a particularly difficult season of his life. Instead of giving into despair regarding his circumstances, he chose instead to address his feelings saying, “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad” (Psalm 42:5)? And through the process of personal probing, David was inspired to reestablish the source of his hope, and the focus of his worship. “I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:4-5 NLT)
So, if perhaps today you are facing challenging circumstances that have left you feeling discouraged, take heart knowing the Lord is near to you in your discouragement (Psalm 34:18), comforts you in your discouragement (2 Corinthians 7:6), and uses your seasons of discouragement to teach you valuable life lessons that strengthen your faith and trust in Him. In addition, commit to regularly rehearsing God’s faithful promises rather than mentally replaying your current challenges. And finally, remember all Jesus endured on your behalf so you do not become discouraged in your own personal struggles (Hebrews 12:3 GNT).
Pray
Father God, I am blessed knowing You are with me at all times, including times of discouragement. Thank You for inviting me to come to You with my feelings, and for reminding me You are sovereign over my circumstances. I take hope knowing You use all things, even discouraging things and cause them to work together for my good and Your purposes. You are constantly faithful, and I am eternally grateful. Amen.
Reflect
In what specific ways have seasons of discouragement taught you valuable life lessons that have strengthened your faith and trust in God?
Encourage others with your response to this week’s question HERE or in the Comments section below.