Someone said, “discouragement is dissatisfaction with the past, distaste for the present and distrust of the future.” The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as, “a feeling of having lost hope or confidence.”
The reasons for discouragement may vary from person to person, but the experience is universal. It can sneak in upon us in a subtle process…other times it happens suddenly, such as with the loss of a loved one. At times, discouragement can crash in when we think we are at the top of the world as it did with heavyweight boxer, James “Quick” Tillis.
“Quick” arrived in Chicago in the early 1980s with two suitcases. Standing in front of the Sears Tower, he set his suitcases down, raised his arms up toward the tower and said to himself, “I’m going to conquer Chicago!” When he looked down, he was immediately discouraged; his suitcases were both gone!
Unmanaged long-term discouragement can lead to despondency and clinical depression. Add to this the fact that discouragement is as unavoidable as it is universal, it is probably more important to know how to manage it than it is to try and circumvent it.
Christians, like anyone else face discouragement. However, believing in Christ as Savior and accepting that the Bible is true, practical and applicable is certainly an asset in dealing with discouragement.
We find an example of discouragement in Numbers 21:4,5. The text states that, “... they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way. 5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses ...” You notice right away that un-checked discouragement quickly leads to the twin sin of blame and complain! And if you read on in the passage, you’ll find that sadly, they brought the judgment of God upon themselves.
Later, just before they left the despised wilderness and entered the desirable promised land, Moses gave them positive biblical therapy for discouragement. Instead of the blame and complain syndrome, he told them that they should, “Be strong! Be courageous! Do not be afraid of them! For the Lord your God will be with you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)
Discouragement is not always optional … the ups and downs and disappointments of life guarantee that we will all face some. However, while the experience may be unavoidable, staying in discouragement is decisional.
We must make our decision not to stay there in that place of blaming and complaining. Instead we move on to trust in God; hope is renewed and confidence is restored. The only sure cure for discouragement is recognizing God’s presence and claiming His promises.
Pastor Ross Helgeton is the senior pastor of Erskine Evangelical Free Church.
— Faith & Reflection