How can I handle discouragement?

1 Peter 5:8-9Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

Suffering can produce discouragement. When we are discouraged, we are particularly vulnerable to Satan’s attacks. Take special care to stay close to God’s Word and other believers during difficult times.

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.

We become discouraged when we stop looking at all God has given us and focus on the success of others.

2 Chronicles 20:15-17He [the Lord] said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!”

Focusing on our circumstances instead of God can bring discouragement. The people of Judah could easily have focused on the vast enemy army and not God standing by to destroy it. We should be careful to disconnect our feelings of discouragement from our assurance of God’s love for us. Discouragement can cause us to doubt God’s love, drawing us away from the source of our greatest help. We should realize that God will fight on our behalf as we trust in him. We must stay focused on God.