How to Overcome Discouragement

overcome hopelessness

Overcoming Discouragement

Are you discouraged? Do you want give up? Do you feel hopeless? The good news is there is hope. You can experience Breakthrough Over Discouragement. Everyone faces discouragement when faced with struggles and disappointments in life.  The important thing is to know how to properly respond in those challenging moments. If we do not correctly deal with discouragement, this emotion can be a breeding ground for bitterness and resentment. Discouragement has the potential to poison our entire lives. If we do not respond to it wisely and get BREAKTHROUGH, we can become overwhelmed by hopelessness, grief, and even depression.

King David faced many disappointments and had to over come feelings of discouragement. There are five steps to getting breakthrough over discouragement that we can learn from the life of David. He was king of Israel, yet for years he had to live in the wilderness, running from Saul and battling many enemies and experiencing disappointments and setbacks. In his difficult times, he looked to the Lord for encouragement. Psalm 23 reveals how David coped with unexpected setbacks to breakthrough to victory.

First, David always turned to God with his discouragement. The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want” (v. 1). He didn’t ask, what am I going to do or wonder what might happen. He knew Who the source of his strength was. When faced with discouragement look to the Good shepherd for help and He will lead you out of your despair into green pastures and by the still waters

Second, David always took responsibility for the situation he was in and his actions. He did not try to make excuses or shift the blame. “Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.” Psalm 51:4 To overcome discouragement we must accept responsibility for our part in the problem and ask God for forgiveness and then make the necessary corrections.

Third, David encouraged himself in the Lord. Instead of sinking into despair, David immediately turned to God, admitted there was a problem, and acknowledged his inability to face it alone. He refused to let the enemy’s attack overwhelm him. He realized the Lord wanted to help him.  1 Samuel 30:6 says, ‘He encouraged himself in the Lord…”  The same is true for you. When trouble comes, you can know without a doubt that God is there to help you as you pick yourself up and be encouraged in the Lord.

Fourth, David kept his focus on the Lord. There will be times when you receive a bad report or negative circumstances are shouting at you, and the temptation will be to get focused on that bad report or those circumstances, but instead you must keep your focus on the Lord in order to get breakthrough over the spirit of discouragement that is trying to keep you down. Jeremiah 33:3 says, “Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” David often recalled the times God had delivered him in the past – His killing the lion, the bear and the giant. The foundation of his confidence was the Lord’s faithfulness. Time after time, he had witnessed God’s goodness at work in his life. Therefore, he could say, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows” Psalm 23:5

Fifthly and finally, David confessed with his mouth that God would fulfill His promise. Surely goodness and loving kindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (Psalm 23:6) When it came to trusting in the Lord, there was no question that David was committed to God. You can overcome discouragement by confessing God’s Word – proclaiming the truth of His greatness, faithfulness and His promises of deliverance and help. “He watches over His Word to perform it.”

Apply these five steps to your life to be encouraged.  Instead of being heavy with discouragement and depression, lift up your head, and be heavy with joy, with favor, with blessings and victory! There is BREAKTHROUGH over discouragement for you!

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