Defeating Discouragement

Big Idea: Have you ever been discouraged? If we’re honest, we’ve all experienced discouragement. It doesn’t matter if you are saved, unsaved, or an optimistic or outgoing person, discouragement affects us all over our lifetime. The word courage comes from the latin root word meaning heart, meaning you have passion and strength. Discouragement is when we lose our heart, passion, or strength. Let’s lean in today as we study the word and receive divine encouragement from the Lord!

Key Scriptures:

Isaiah 35:1–7 (NLT) Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days. The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses. Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy! The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon, as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon. There the LORD will display his glory, the splendor of our God. With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees. Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.” And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf. The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy! Springs will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams will water the wasteland. The parched ground will become a pool, and springs of water will satisfy the thirsty land. Marsh grass and reeds and rushes will flourish where desert jackals once lived. 

Discouragement Feels Like: 

• Tired Hands: Discouragement is when your hands are tired of doing good. 
  • Galatians 6:9, “Don’t grow weary in doing well, for you shall receive a harvest if you faint not!”
• Weak Knees: Discouragement is when your knees get tired of standing.
  • Ephesians 6:13, “Having done all to stand, stand therefore!” 
• Fearful Hearts: Discouragement is when your heart is full of fear because of uncertainty in the future.

Discussion Questions: Have you ever gotten tired of doing something good? Maybe taking care of an elderly relative, or child with physical limitations or needs? How did you find the strength to continue? Have you ever gotten tired of standing up for something you believe in? Or for a promise of healing, restoration, etc.? Have you ever been fearful of the future? Have you ever faced a situation in life where you felt there was no hope? How do our verses above encourage you and motivate you to keep doing good, keep standing, and look to the future with eyes of faith & expectation for greatness in Christ? 

Psalm 42:1–4 (NLT) As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him? Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, “Where is this God of yours?” My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks amid the sound of a great celebration!

Discouragement Is Caused By:

• Spiritual War - “Taunted by enemies”
  • You can’t let your guard down! 
  • You must recognize the darts of the enemy! 
• Comparison - “As I remember how it used to be”
  • Timeline Comparison: Sometimes our greatest discouragement isn’t what’s happening now—it’s what we think we’ve lost.
  • Comparison with others
• Frustrated with fruit - “leading a great procession to the house of God”
  • Psalm 42:4 The psalmist mourns not just the past, but his former role in it. He once led the procession, but now he feels on the outside looking in.
• Truth: Your past significance doesn’t define your future purpose. God’s not done using you! 
  • Isaiah 43:19 - “See, I am doing a new thing!”

Discussion Questions: Can you remember a time when you battled discouragement and it wasn’t merely a natural battle? Have you ever compared yourself to others around you and found yourself discouraged? 

Psalm 42:5-8 (NLT) 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— even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mizar. I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me. But 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.

Discouragement Is Overcome By:  

• Hope in God - “I will put my hope in God”
  • Hope is the belief that things will work out and will improve. 
  • We hope because He’s promised! 
• Praise Him Again - “I will praise him again” 
  • Lifting your hands to the Lord is a symbol of surrender and a powerful posture of victory we have in Christ! 
  • Declare the promises of God using your voice! 
  • Confess your gratitude and thanksgiving to the Lord in every season of your life! 
• Remember Him - “I will remember you” 
  • Remember His kindness to you.
  • Remember His faithfulness to you.
  • Remember His miracles.
• Receive Fresh Grace - “praying to God who gives me life” 
• Receive new mercies daily from the Lord!

Discussion Questions: What do you need to do today to overcome discouragement? Do you need to get your hopes up? Do you need to lift your voice and praise Him? Do you need to take time to reflect and remember all He has done for you and all He’s promised you? Pray and ask Him for fresh grace, joy, and hope that will encourage your heart.     

Conclusion

Discouragement comes to us all but we have overwhelming victory over it in Christ Jesus! When you recognize the feelings of discouragement ask the Lord to reveal the root cause so you can overcome through putting your faith and hope in Jesus! Praise Him again and remember His goodness to you. Ask the Holy Spirit for fresh grace each day. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you in your daily Bible reading and time of devotion so you have the strength you need to defeat discouragement!