Overcoming Discouragement

Deuteronomy 1:21, “…Look, the Lord your God has set the land before you, go up and possess it, as the Lord God of your forefathers has spoken to you; do not fear or be discouraged.”

According to legend, the devil once advertised his tools for sale at public auction. When the prospective buyers assembled, there was one tool that was labelled “Not for sale.” Asked to explain why this was, the devil answered, “I can spare all my other tools, but I cannot spare this one as it is the most useful implement that I have. It is called discouragement! With it I can work my way into hearts and minds otherwise inaccessible. With this tool I penetrate a person’s soul and the way is open to plant anything there I may desire.”

All of us are vulnerable with regards discouragement. There is never any shortfall of discouragements when it comes to hindering God’s work in people’s lives! If anyone had a “right” to be discouraged, it might appear to be the apostle Paul. When one thinks of what he endured in the course of his life and ministry, he seems to be the perfect candidate for a “victim” mentality – and the countless ways people use discouragement to rationalise sinful or selfish behaviour. Yet, in 2 Corinthians 4:1 Paul happily declares, “…we do not lose heart”!

Here are ten things you will need to focus on in order to overcome discouragement:

(1) Don’t worry, be happy! Being happy (happiness) is simply feeling good about yourself. And do not confuse this with popularity, which simply means that others feel good about you! What do you really think about yourself – your character and accomplishments? You’d better find out quickly! This will determine your real sense of self-worth and value.

(2) Stop looking at others to make you happy. Happiness doesn’t start around you, because it begins inside you! Stop waiting for the “flowers” to arrive. It’s the growing (and nurturing) of the seed, which is inside of you that’s important!

(3) Start feeling good about yourself. Don’t let past hurts and bad memories chain you to the prison gates of defeat. Do things you enjoy!

(4) Value friendships. Friendships are greater than gold! They satisfy the inner part of us. True friends will build you up and encourage you to finish your race.

(5) Be totally comfortable with who you are. Don’t measure everything by what you do - find out who your really are. What you do will fluctuate in manner and measure, but who you are in Christ is always constant. Therefore, when you are comfortable with who you are you can never get discouraged!

(6) Don’t loose your confidence. Loosing your confidence is loosing your way; and also loosing your strength. Isaiah 30:15, “…Confidence shall be your strength.” Hebrews 10:35,36; “…Do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward, for you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God you may receive the promise.”

(7) Sing. The great thing about singing is no matter when, no matter why, you can always sing a song. If we are happy we can sing, if we are sad we can sing, and when we are discouraged we can sing! A song has many meanings. A song could be a remembrance of something or someone. A song could represent a feeling and a song is also a great tool for encouraging not only ourselves but others. Do you remember back in Acts 16, when Paul and Silas were thrown in prison? What were they doing? Acts 16:25 – “But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” Most of us have never been arrested, or been put in prison, and I am reasonably sure no one has been violently persecuted for their faith. Yet a lot of us may become discouraged about silly, unimportant things. The remedy? Singing songs of praise!

(8) Focus on your goal and not your problems. If you are feeling discouraged it is very likely because your focus is on what has not worked your setbacks and your fears. So discipline your mind to focus on your goals and discouragement will fade into the distance. Also, by concentrating on your goals, you will stop listening to your emotions.

(9) Develop a thankful heart. When the psalmist was discouraged he chose to be thankful for everything God had already done in his life. Psalm 100:4 (AMP), “…Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and a thank offering, and into His courts with praise! Be thankful and say so to Him, bless and affectionately praise His name!” Tell God how thankful you are for sending His Son Jesus to the cross! This will help take your eyes of ‘self’ and place them on to the Author and Finisher of your faith.

(10) Ask for help. You do not have to deal with everything alone. Ask for help from someone who is qualified to help you and act on their good advice. Two minds are better than one especially when your mind is full of discouragement. And, you will feel stronger knowing that someone else is backing you, and keen to see you succeed.

Chris Demetriou, 18/01/2009