Have you ever been discouraged? I have. What happened when you were discouraged? Did you think it would go away on its own? Does the Bible teach us anything about being discouraged? Are there examples of people who were discouraged in the Bible? Let me share with you what I’ve learned about how this relates to being discouraged and hope.
It does not take long in the Bible to find people who were discouraged. It is filled with examples. To name a few Sarah, Jeremiah, Job, Joshua, Isaiah, and the eleven Apostles. Sarah was without a child that God had promised. Jeremiah because the king would not listen, and he was thrown in jail. Job, well where do I start… loss of family, possessions, and health and on top of that his wife was not supportive. Joshua was discouraged because the people of Israel would not listen to him, and he ended up wondering in the wilderness for forty years. Isaiah lived with a people of unclean lips like himself. Then there were the eleven. Imagine you had staked your life and everything on someone who was supposed to be the King and Messiah only to see Him crucified and buried in a tomb. How much worse could it get?
Sarah ended up conceiving and having the promised child who would become the father of a nation and who’s descendent would-be Jesus the Messiah. Jeremiah was protected by God his whole life. Job was vindicated and restored. “‘My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. Now therefore take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves. And my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept his prayer not to deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.’” “And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.” Job 42:7b-8,10 Joshua was given a promise the highlight of it is; “Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success[a] wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:7-9 (ESV)
As for the eleven there are too many verses to add to this blog so I would encourage you to read John’s account of the Apostles meeting with Jesus. It can be found in John 21-22.
As for me I have found many verses that speak to me when I am discouraged. My favorite is; “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (ESV) I see Paul telling me to look past my discouragement and look to my future life of glory which will be amazing. Paul also adds a benediction that I have found encouraging; “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 (ESV)
I pray you will get help for your discouragement from the only place that can truly help, God who is the source of healing for all who are discouragement. I pray you will seek God and trust He will guide you through your discouragement and bring you hope. Know you can trust the promises of God and realize the same hope that only comes from Jesus. It is through a relationship with God through Jesus that solves the problem of sin and brings us hope in the present and the future. I would also encourage you to seek Jesus for He is the only opportunity there is to have eternal life. This is to me the greatest source of hope. In doing so, I believe we will have hope and joy in our everyday lives. Understanding how Jesus Christ grants us access to eternal life, allows us to live in hope. “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” John 17:3 (ESV) At the same time understanding you will live eternally knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ will also bring you the greatest hope. Because of the death of Jesus Christ on the cross satisfied the penalty for sins. His payment satisfies all my sins from the past, the present and in the future. My penalty and yours was satisfied on the cross by the death of Jesus, God’s greatest act of love and wrath, who became sin for me and you. It was also God’s greatest act of faithfulness because “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (ESV) Because holiness shows us, we need to believe in Jesus. I hope that you join me in helping others to choose Jesus.
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You can find my book, Hope Amid Hopelessness: Our Abba Father Provides a Way Through Mental Illness here.
eBook or Audiobook versions can be found at Westbow Press or Christianbook.com at Amazon or Google.
eBook or Audiobook versions can be found at Westbow Press or Christianbook.com at Amazon or Google.
