Encourage Yourself in the Lord
To encourage means to give support, confidence, strength, or hope to someone. That someone can even be yourself. To discourage is the direct opposite of encouragement, it means to take away someone’s hope, confidence, or courage.
In Numbers 21, we are told that the Israelites became very discouraged on their journey to the Promised Land.
“Then 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.” (Numbers 21:4 NKJV)
What Caused Their Discouragement?
It was frustration that led to their discouragement. Frustration often arises when there is a delay or perceived resistance to the fulfillment of our desires, plans, or goals. When frustration is not properly controlled, it can lead to discouragement and doubt. Doubt, if allowed to grow, can eventually lead to unbelief, and unbelief can lead to sin and its consequences.
By this time, Israel had been traveling for almost forty years since leaving Egypt. They were eager to enter the land flowing with milk and honey, and they were finally getting close.
However, the king of Edom refused to allow them to pass through his territory. Passing through Edom would have shortened their journey, but they were forced to take a longer route around the land. The delay became frustrating, and their discouragement grew.
Once again, the Israelites resorted to their familiar response to frustration: murmuring and complaining. Their circumstances caused them to lose sight of God’s faithfulness.
“Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness?” (v5).
What Should We Do When Discouragement Comes?
When frustration and discouragement come, we must learn to take our burdens to God in prayer. Hebrews 4:16 tells us:
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
The throne of grace is the right place to take our discouragement, fears, disappointments, and frustrations. We do not have to pretend that everything is fine. We can tell God honestly how we feel and ask Him for the grace and strength we need.
Discouragement can enter our lives in many ways. Sometimes it comes through repeated failure. It may happen in business, marriage, education, ministry, or other areas of life. Someone who repeatedly fails a certification or qualifying examination may eventually become discouraged and wonder whether it is worth trying again. But remember this: Failure is not strange to human existence. Failure does not mean your story is over. Beyond failure may be success, and beyond disappointment may be a divine appointment. In the race of life, people may fall, but we must not remain down. We must get back up.
“For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again.” (Proverbs 24:16)
Thomas Edison, the famous inventor, is often associated with the story of making numerous attempts before successfully developing a practical electric light bulb. When asked about his many unsuccessful attempts, he viewed them not as failures but as discoveries of ways that did not work. So, do not allow failure to convince you that you cannot succeed.
Encourage Yourself in the Lord
One of the greatest examples of overcoming discouragement is found in the life of David. In 1 Samuel 30, David and his men returned to Ziklag and discovered that the Amalekites had invaded their city, burned it, and taken their wives, sons, and daughters captive. David and his men were devastated. They wept until they had no more strength to weep. To make matters worse, David’s own men began talking about stoning him because they blamed him for their situation. Imagine the level of discouragement David must have experienced.
Yet the Bible says, “But David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” — 1 Samuel 30:6.
David did not allow his circumstances to determine his response. He did not panic. He did not retaliate against his men. He did not give up instead he sought God.
“I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4)
David then asked God what he should do.
“So David inquired of the LORD, saying, ‘Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?’ And He answered him, ‘Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.'” — 1 Samuel 30:8
David received God’s direction, obeyed it, and pursued the Amalekites. And just as God had promised, David recovered all.
This is an important lesson for us. When discouragement comes, do not allow your emotions to make your decisions. Seek God first.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5–6)
Ways to Overcome Discouragement
- Do Not Fret—Seek God in Prayer: Take your honest feelings to God. Tell Him about your sadness, disappointment, fear, and frustration.
“Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” — Psalm 62:8. You do not have to hide your emotions from God.
- Be Still and Listen for God’s Peace and Direction: After praying, learn to become quiet before God. Sometimes we are so busy talking that we fail to listen.
“Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him.” — Psalm 37:7. Philippians 4:6–7 reminds us to bring everything to God in prayer, and God’s peace will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
- Ask God What to Do Next: Instead of panicking, ask: “Lord, what should I do next?”
God promised to guide those who trust Him. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” — Psalm 32:8
- Remember Past Victories: The God who helped you yesterday has not changed today.
When facing Goliath, David remembered how God had helped him defeat the lion and the bear.
“The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” — 1 Samuel 17:37
- Remind Yourself That God Is Faithful: God does not change. When everything around you seem uncertain, God’s character remains certain.
Deuteronomy 7:9 says: “Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God.”
- Stand on God’s Promises: Do not allow your present circumstances to become greater than God’s promises.
“For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen.” — 2 Corinthians 1:20
Faith looks beyond what is happening now and holds on to what God has said.
- Refuse to Become Bitter: Do not allow disappointment to turn into bitterness. Discouragement can make us look for someone to blame. This tends to happen with couples or families, so don’t be bitter with your spouse or children. David could have become bitter toward his men. Instead, he sought God. People may disappoint you, circumstances may frustrate you, and plans may fail—but God remains faithful.
- Count Your Blessings: When discouragement comes, deliberately remember God’s goodness. The hymn writer Johnson Oatman Jr. captured this truth beautifully in the familiar hymn:
When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the lord hath done.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, when discouragement comes because of delays in the fulfillment of our goals and desires, help us remember that You have a plan for our lives. Help us not to waver in our faith, but to trust You completely, knowing that You will bring everything to pass according to Your will and purpose, and in Your perfect timing. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen!
—Philip O. Akinyẹmi