Every Christian will go through discouragement. Even spiritually mature Christians will experience disappointments. Discouragement came even to great men of God like Elijah, John the Baptist, and David. That’s why Christians need to know how to overcome discouragement.
Overcome discouragement by learning to control your emotions.
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
Proverbs 25:28
Walls are a city’s primary defense. The higher the walls are, the better the defense. On the other hand, invaders can quickly overrun a city without walls. That’s why if you don’t know how to control your emotions, discouragement will easily overcome you.
It’s essential to control your emotions because it helps you make decisions. When you let your feelings get the best of you, you will have a higher tendency to make the wrong decision. It would be best if you learned to control your emotions. Otherwise, your emotions will control you.
Overcome discouragement by keeping a positive mindset.
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.
1 Samuel 30:6
When you go through discouragement like David, a negative mindset will result in you going deeper into discouragement. Notice that discouragement came to Elijah when the enemy was pursuing him. Discouragement came to John the Baptist when he was in prison. Therefore, you must keep a positive mindset when difficulties come.
Discouragement also came to David. But instead of allowing negative thoughts to fill his mind, he decided to encourage himself. However, it is essential to note that David encouraged himself in the Lord. You can find encouragement in other things. But those things can only be superficial in a sense. It can make you feel good but won’t solve your problem.
You can only find genuine encouragement from God. He’s the one in control of everything. He allowed you to go through difficulties. Therefore, He’s the one who can get you out of your trouble. This truth is the positive mindset you must remember to overcome discouragement.
Overcome discouragement by seeking advice from spiritual people.
And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.
1 Samuel 30:7
God gave you family, friends, and a church to encourage you during difficulties. But more importantly, they can give you sound advice, especially if they are spiritually matured Christians. So avoid going to worldly friends who will provide you with ungodly counsel. Instead, have the humility to as for spiritual counsel from spiritual people.
Therefore, you must keep a good relationship with godly friends, godly church members, and, most significantly, your pastor.
Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellers there is safety.
Proverbs 11:14
Overcome discouragement by praying to God and seeking His wisdom.
And David inquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.
1 Samuel 30:8
It is good that you ask for counsel from spiritual people. However, the best counsel you can get is from God Himself. It’s easy to think that you’re prepared when discouragement comes. But the truth is, you don’t know what tomorrow brings. Therefore, you must entrust your plans to God and seek His wisdom.
You might forget the biblical principles that you’ve learned when difficulties come. You might even forget some of the Scriptures. But we can always seek the wisdom of God through prayer. That’s why the apostle James tells us to ask for wisdom from God (James 1:5.)
We can always call on God whenever, wherever, and whatever situation we’re in (Jeremiah 33:3.) discouragement comes to every believer. But it is not God’s will for you to dwell in pessimism. Therefore, you must learn to overcome discouragement.
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