Discouragement

Discouragement

MY QUESTION for GOD

How should I respond to feelings of discouragement?

A MOMENT with GOD

Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. . . . “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”

1 Kings 19:3-4

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you. . . . Each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life. . . . Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!

Psalm 42:5-6, 8, 11

As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength.

Psalm 138:3

From the depths of despair, O Lord, I call for your help.

Psalm 130:1

Discouragement often settles in when you are facing a problem or task that seems overwhelming, if not impossible; when you’ve really messed up and feel embarrassed or ashamed; when you work your hardest and still fail; when important relationships become strained; when you have expectations for greatness, but your limitations won’t let you achieve it. Many people in the Bible faced discouragement. Elijah was deeply discouraged when he was the last prophet in Israel and his life was threatened. When you are discouraged, you feel like giving up—on God, friends, family, career, even hope itself. You feel like everyone is against you and nobody cares. What was most important to you now seems trivial. Worst of all, you can’t see the way back to joy and happiness. When you reach your lowest point, you must determine whether you will sink deeper into the mire or begin to climb your way up and out of the pit. The opposite of discouragement is encouragement, and it is the antidote you need when you are down. God is your greatest encourager. Seek his help first, and then begin to praise him. Focusing on the character of God and everything he has already done for you will lift your spirits and help you overcome your discouragement.

DIVINE PROMISE

THE LORD IS CLOSE TO THE BROKENHEARTED; HE RESCUES THOSE WHOSE SPIRITS ARE CRUSHED.   Psalm 34:18