What causes feelings of discouragement?

Psalm 73:2-3As for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.

Discouragement can come when we stop looking at what God has given us and focus on the prosperity of others.

1 Kings 19:3-4“I have had enough, Lord,” [Elijah] said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”

Discouragement often comes after a great spiritual experience. Elijah had just been part of a huge miracle that proved God was greater than the gods of false prophets. Coming down off that spiritual high left him exhausted and vulnerable.

Psalm 55:20-22As for my companion, he betrayed his friends; he broke his promises. His words are as smooth as butter, but in his heart is war. His words are as soothing as lotion, but underneath are daggers!

Discouragement often comes when the people closest to us turn against us.

2 Corinthians 2:16Who is adequate for such a task as this?

Discouragement comes when we feel we can’t get the job done, that we’re not up to the task.

2 Corinthians 1:8-9We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die.

Discouragement can come simply from the crushing burdens and heartbreaks of life. We often know more than we wish we did about the real nature of people and their “dark side.” This knowledge combined with other hardships can wear us down.

Romans 7:15-24I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. . . . And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. . . . I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. . . . I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?

Discouragement can come when we realize that, as long as we are in our present bodies, we will have to fight against our sinful nature, which is working to destroy our relationship with God.

Exodus 6:12“But Lord!” Moses objected. “My own people won’t listen to me anymore. How can I expect Pharaoh to listen? I’m such a clumsy speaker!”

Numbers 11:10-15Moses heard all the families standing in the doorways of their tents whining, and the Lord became extremely angry. Moses was also very aggravated. And Moses said to the Lord, “Why are you treating me, your servant, so harshly? Have mercy on me! What did I do to deserve the burden of all these people? . . . I can’t carry all these people by myself! The load is far too heavy! If this is how you intend to treat me, just go ahead and kill me. Do me a favor and spare me this misery!”

Jeremiah 15:10, 15-18Oh, that I had died at birth! I am hated everywhere I go. I am neither a lender who threatens to foreclose nor a borrower who refuses to pay—yet they all curse me. . . . Then I said, “Lord, you know what’s happening to me. Please step in and help me. Punish my persecutors! Please give me time; don’t let me die young. It’s for your sake that I am suffering. When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies. I never joined the people in their merry feasts. I sat alone because your hand was on me. I was filled with indignation at their sins. Why then does my suffering continue? Why is my wound so incurable? Your help seems as uncertain as a seasonal brook, like a spring that has gone dry.”

Ezekiel 20:49Then [Ezekiel] said, “O Sovereign Lord, they are saying of me, ‘He only talks in riddles!’”

2 Corinthians 7:5-7When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside. But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought of the encouragement he received from you. When he told us how much you long to see me, and how sorry you are for what happened, and how loyal you are to me, I was filled with joy!

Discouragement often comes to us when we have dedicated our lives to serving others. We find it discouraging when people refuse to listen to the truth we share with them. We also get discouraged as we try to deal with the constant demands and problems of others. In our most difficult moments, we can even reach a point where we become almost irrational in our responses to the people we serve. In these moments, we need to quiet ourselves and turn to God for help. If we are doing his work, he is always standing with us. And very often, God is working behind the scenes to work his will through what we do, even though we can’t see it right away.