DEALING WITH DISCOURAGEMENT

Even people with strong faith in Jesus can become discouraged.

• People who enjoy prayer, reading their Bibles, and loving Jesus with all their hearts become discouraged.
• Moses was a leader and servant of God. What caused his discouragement?

1. Self-doubt
When faced with a new and difficult task, it’s typical to ask two questions: 1. me? 2. could I succeed in this grand challenge?
Exodus 3:11 But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?”

• If God calls you to a daunting task, it’s strength, not yours, that empowers your next step.
• Faith doesn’t reality. Faith affirms that God is than reality.
• Exodus 3:12 God answered, “I will be with you.”
• Gideon
  Judges 6:12-16 12 The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!” 13 “Sir,” Gideon replied, “if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn’t they say, ‘The Lord brought us up out of Egypt’? But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites.” 14 Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!” 15 “But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!” 16 The Lord said to him, “I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.”

2. Feeling Overwhelmed
Numbers 11:11-15 11 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? 12 Did I give birth to them? Did I bring them into the world? Why did you tell me to carry them in my arms like a mother carries a nursing baby? How can I carry them to the land you swore to give their ancestors? 13 Where am I supposed to get meat for all these people? They keep whining to me, saying, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ 14 I can’t carry all these people by myself! The load is far too heavy! 15 If this is how you intend to treat me, just go ahead and kill me. Do me a favor and spare me this misery!”

Mix a troubled spirit with a heavy season of responsibility, and the combination can become fertile ground for discouragement to grow.

• Psalm 42:5 Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior…
• God near even in times of discouragement.
• We often believe that feeling discouraged means God has abandoned us. But Scripture shows that some of the most faithful men and women have struggled with discouragement.
  Elijah sat under a tree and prayed to die (1 Kings 19:4).
  Paul said he was “pressed beyond measure, above strength” (2 Corinthians 1:8).
• Discouragement doesn’t mean that God isn’t there; it simply reminds us that we are .
• Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
• Matthew 11:28-30 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

“Persistence is a silent but irresistible power that comes to the rescue of those who fight on in the face of discouragement. If you don’t try to improve, it is the beginning of the end.” Charles Stanley

• Don’t Do This When You Feel Discouraged:
  Don’t make decisions when you’re feeling discouraged.
• Try This When You Feel Discouraged:
  Remind yourself and let others remind you that it’s just a .
• STEPS:
  • the Heavenly Father during this season.
    Psalm 46.1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
  • Be in the season.
    Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God!…
  • Be diligent in .
    Psalm 147:1 Praise the Lord! How good to sing praises to our God! How delightful and how fitting!

Praise isn’t just a reaction to our feelings; it’s a declaration of who God is.

When you’re unsure of what to do, Praise anyway.

Discouragement doesn’t get the final say. God does.

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I know that the penalty of my sin is physical, spiritual, and eternal death. I acknowledge that I can’t do anything about my situation. But I know that You came to pay the penalty for my sin. I trust in You alone as the One who died in my place. I repent of my sin and trust in You alone as the only One who can place me in an eternal relationship with the living God. I desire to be Your child. I desire to live as Your child. In Your name. Amen.

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