Overcoming

Discouragement Dr. Kenneth Jones

SERIES: “Diss” – “Dis-es”

Purpose

• To provide for a study of those “Dis-es” that hinder Christians and their

leaders in pursuing God’s purpose, achieving spiritual maturity, and enjoying

kingdom living

• Discontent

• Discouragement

• Distraction

• Disappointment

Scripture

Psalms 112:7 - He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.

• Heart is fixed - to be established, be stable, be secure, be enduring; to be directed aright, be fixed aright, be steadfast

• The believer should be steadfast and stable, even in the midst of troubling times – Doesn’t mean that there wouldn’t be trials, but we are required to stay steadfast in the midst of them for our trust is in the Lord

Heart Problem

• Christianity is a “Heart” Issue (Proverbs 18:14)

• When Satan attacks our resources, our health, our relationships he is really

attacking the heart or the spirit of man

• The “heart” represents the inner man – the part that connects with God

• Satan wants you “disheartened” – to lose heart; faint; grow dim

• Proverbs 15:13 - A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, But when the

heart is sad, the spirit is broken.

Spiritual Attack To Dishearten Believers

That is why the term, “Spiritual attacks.” Satan and his invisible evil horde seeks to

attack the Christian in such a way to dishearten the believer, causing one to lose

faith, connection, joy, strength, and purpose.

Thanks be to God who provides protection, power, and presence

through the completed work of Jesus Christ and the power of His Spirit

Scripture

Ezekiel 13:22 - Because with lies ye have made the heart of the

righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands

of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by

promising him life:

• We can become disheartened by looking at this world’s system and how false

teachers harden men in sin, by giving them hopes of eternal life, though they

continue in their evil ways

God’s Judgment For Those Who Breaks The

Heart of His People

• Read Psalms 109:

Psalms 69:20: Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of

heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for

comforters, but I found none.

• We need one another; We need to be encouraged and exhorted

• Thanks God for the Comforter, but we are called to comfort others

Making the Righteous Sad

Ezekiel Admonishes the False Prophets as we see today by making the “righteous sad”

• By teaching such doctrines as depreciate the love and grace of God the Father;

• Making one’s love dependent on the creature; God’s covenant conditional, and salvation to be by works, and not by grace (Religion and tradition)

• Denying God’s deity and divine sonship through Christ; making light of his blood, and setting up man's righteousness against the work of Christ: and such as are injurious to the Spirit's work;

• Ascribing regeneration and conversion to man's free will and not the Will of the Father

“Diss” our “Dis-es”

• The prefix, “dis” comes from the Latin prefix meaning “apart,”

“asunder,” “away,” “utterly,” or having a privative, negative, or

reversing force

• The word, “diss” means to confront and speak to someone

rudely. Discouragement is not your friend. We need to speak to

those things that hinder us and put them in their place which is

out of our lives.

Discouragement

• One of the greatest obstacle that Christians (especially leaders) face

• Discouragement is the act of being “apart” from experiencing and

exercising “courage” and confidence in oneself, others, and God

• Hebrew – Associated with “dismayed” - to be shattered, be dismayed, be

scared

• to be short, be impatient, be vexed, be grieved (Numbers 21:4)

• A “loss of courage” when facing the trials/circumstances of life

Don’t Be Discouraged: God Is With You

Joshua 1:9 - Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee

whithersoever thou goest. (KJV)

Joshua 1:9 - I command you – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.“ (NLV)

John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

• Troubled - to render anxious or distressed

Question

• Why Am I So Discouraged?

• How Do I Allow Myself to Become

Discouraged?

• Have you ever asked yourself that question?

Causes of Discouragement

• People and Circumstances can discourage you

• Deuteronomy 1:28: Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there.

• Colossians 3:21: Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

• Greek word, “athymeō” –which to be disheartened, dispirited, broken in spirit

Watch Your Words

• It reads in scripture that Words has a lot to do with

discouragement

• What you say to others can either build them up or

tear them down

• What you say to and about yourself can do the same

Art of Correction

Because of the flow of information within the body of Christ, we have become more skilled in the “Art of

Correction” than with Encouragement.

Remember the Easiest Thing to Find is FAULT

Causes of Discouragement

• We focus on our problems rather than on God’s power

• Matthew 19:26 says, Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

• Genesis 18:14 asks, “Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

• Jeremiah 32:17 - Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:

• We serve a God who can do the Impossible – Yet we still become discouraged

Causes of Discouragement

Deuteronomy 21:4-5 – “And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much

discouraged because of the way. And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no

bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.”

• The children of Israel were discouraged over the way the Lord was leading them. They felt the way was too hard.

• Our Christian walk will have its challenges, trials, tribulations and stresses, but we are not to become dismayed or discouraged.

Soul Discouragement

• The people became discouraged in their soul.

• Soul - seat of emotions and passions; activity of the will

• Since man is a “total being” (nepesh- spirit, soul, body), what affects him mentally, emotionally, and even physically can weigh him down spiritually

• Example: Galatians 6:9 - And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

• Sometimes because of circumstances, even a melancholy spirit, we become disheartened and discouraged in our spirit

Causes of Discouragement

• Review of our circumstances and fate outside or apart from faith or the Word of God

• From the words/actions or lack of words/actions from others (especially significant others)

• Cares of the World – Discouragement comes with a preoccupation of “Cares”

• Martha was encumbered by much serving

• Sometimes, when we busy ourselves with “activity” we tend to be discouraged as we observe others like Mary who sat at Jesus’ feet

People Who are Discouraged Are:

• Disheartened by obstacles, failure, or criticism from others

• Distressed and fearful, lacking courage and confidence to do necessary things

• Disillusioned, losing hope for the future

• Disinterested, apathetic, lacking initiative

• Doubtful about the value of certain actions

• Down on Oneself, with a poor sense of worth

God is Aware of Your Discouragement: Let

Him Lead You Out

Exodus 13:17 - And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines,

although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:

• God led the children of Israel by another route because he didn’t want them to

become discouraged, lose heart, repent and want to return from whence they came.

Deuteronomy 31:8: And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he

will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Satanic Attack

Discouragement can result from different scenarios, but Satan is the

instigator. He will do anything he can to dishearten us and keep our

focus on negative things instead of on God.

The Devil loves to break our fellowship with God. He breaks it by

the sin of discouragement (Romans 14:23)

Overcoming

• Remember the Promise and the Promises of God

• 1st Sam 30: David Encouraged himself in the Lord

• Pray/Cast your cares upon the Lord – 1st Peter 5:8

• Realize and trust that God is in control

John 16:33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (We

overcome because Jesus overcame)

Luke 22:32 - But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Overcoming Discouragement

• Pray –Psalms 119:147 - I anticipated the dawning of the morning and cried

[in childlike prayer]; I hoped in Your word. (Amplified)

• Resist Satan's efforts to discourage you more – James 4:7

• Live a life of Praise - Psalms 57:7 - My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is

fixed: I will sing and give praise.

• Encourage Yourself Daily in the Lord – 1st Samuel 30:6: but David

encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

Overcoming Discouragement

• Read the Word of God

Psalm 119:49,50 ; Remember the Word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction: for Thy Word

hath quickened me.

• Get into the Word of God because it can revive your spirit and give you hope if you believe

• Take a hold of these Scriptures, letting them be your comfort in your affliction and the Word will quicken you

Overcoming Through Praise

A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed.

1 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. 10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.

Encouragement Through Praise

Psalms 43:5 - Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, The help of my

countenance and my God.

• The help of my countenance: The psalmist knew his countenance needed help - and God was just the one to bring it. The peace and joy that comes from trusting and praising God will help our face and build us up.

• Matthew 11:28 - "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. “ (Where do you go or who do you go to when you are discouraged?)

The Problem Is

• The Lord is saying “Come” but many times we just “Go”

• 'Come'; he drives none away; he calls them to himself. Jesus’ favorite word is

'Come.' To Jesus himself we must come, by a personal trust and faith in him

• Unfortunately, when many become discouraged they go to other places and

the wrong people for recovery

Ministering to the Discouraged

• Determine the Root Cause

• Spiritual Attack – Feelings of Despondency; Generational Sins, Sin in One’s life

• Actual Events – Transition (i.e. retirement, failed marriage, church breakup; etc.

• Interpretation of those Events- How one may interpret what is having in their lives

• Irrational Thoughts – Needs to be Cast Down (2 Corinthians 10:4,5)

• Sickness or Discomfort – Not Feeling or Sensing Relief

• Environmental – You may not like your current social or financial

status concerned about will it improve or change

Ministering to the Discouraged

• Encourage them through sharing the Word

Proverbs 12:25 - Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad.

• Research the Scriptures regarding the Root Cause and have them read

• Give Comfort - Ensure they know what God says about them, their

situation and His plan and desire for them to walk in joy and victory

1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify

(strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing.

Ministering to the Discouraged

• Pray for Deliverance

1 Peter 5:7 - Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries,

all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and

cares about you watchfully.

• Discouragement can become a stronghold in a believer’s life and must

be broken through prayer, encouragement, and the deliverance

Prayer

Lord, I repent, renounce, dismiss and disband from my heart every thought,

image or picture of discouragement, in the name of Jesus. I reject every spirit

of doubt, fear and discouragement that comes from satan and his invisible evil

kingdom and I cast every anxiety, every care, and feelings of discouragement

upon you because I know you care for me.

Lord, my heart is fixed and I will trust in you. I do not have to be dismayed for

thou are with me. I receive the Comfort of your Spirit and I trust in the Lord

who always causes me to triumph in every situation.

Prayer

I refuse to entertain thoughts and imaginations that will weary my soul and discourage my heart.

I believe your Word Heavenly Father and trust that You will deliver and strengthen me according to thy Word.

I Encourage myself in you this day and seek your face on how I may overcome the anxieties, situations, environment, moods, sickness, sin, and despair that I

am experiencing and feeling.

Thank you heavenly Father for delivering me and I accept my deliverance in Jesus’ Name - Amen

Conclusion

Romans 15:13 - Now the God of hope fill you with all joy

and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope,

through the power of the Holy Ghost.