ON OVERCOMING DISCOURAGEMENT

Joshua 1:9 NIV

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

DAVID

David the hero of the Old Testament went through a period of discouragement and here is how he overcame.

In 1 Samuel 30:

⁶ And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

Psalms is one of the best book to read in bible when one goes through a series of trouble or distress and discouragement.

Disappointments in life is not a choice, but getting discouraged is. People can disappoint us, we cannot change them. But we will have to change our perspectives and we have look from God's perspective and never we should chose to get discouraged. The Word of God is an encouragement, it is given to all without any prejudice. So anyone can get a Bible can chose to get encouraged at the times of discouragements and disappointments.

In Chapter 94:19, David says what delights his soul.

19In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.

The Apostle PAUL

Was once a persecutor of church, and latter realized the truth. Had shipwreck, had a lot of trouble in life. But this is how he overcame his discouragement – By relying upon God.

2 Corinthians 1:8 NIV

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

PETER

Peter fails to walk on water.

Jesus Walks on the Water

²² Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. ²³ After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, ²⁴ and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

²⁵ Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

²⁷ But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

²⁹ “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Get behind me, Satan

In Matthew 16 - When Jesus Predicts His Death, that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”

23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

In Luke 22 - Denied Christ even after a clear warning that He would

31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.

34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

Peter being so discouraged and disappointed. He never gave up, in the upper room his courage helped gentiles to know the messiah. He overcame by the power of God through Jesus Christ. By laying his foundation on Jesus Christ.

The Prophet ELIJAH

- Had a mountain top experience, bringing down fire from heaven to burn up the sacrifice but then went through a valley experience fearing for his life

Elijah exhibited all the symptoms of Depression

FEAR - “Elijah was afraid and ran for his life….” 1 Kings 19:3-

SUICIDAL THOUGHTS – “(Elijah) prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, LORD,’ he said. ‘Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.’ 1 Kings 19:4

FATIGUE / CONSTANLY TIRED – “Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep…” 1 Kings 19:5

FEELINGS OF REJECTION – “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too. 1Kings 19:10- Elijah's discouragement, despair and depression was not for a day or two but it took close to six weeks before he overthrew it with God's help We go through Discouragement, Despair and Depression . . . when we experience fear and defeat after being successful in life. But the only thing which keeps us encouraging is God's Word. Through God's Word we can overcome any kind of discouragement or disappointment.