Discouragement is a state of mind that can affect believers and non-believers alike, often leading to a sense of hopelessness or a lack of motivation. In the Bible, discouragement is addressed as a condition that can be overcome through faith, prayer, and reliance on God's promises.

Biblical Instances and Teachings

1. Moses and the Israelites: In the wilderness, the Israelites frequently faced discouragement due to hardships and uncertainties. In Numbers 21:4, it is recorded, "Then they set out from Mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea, to bypass the land of Edom. But the people grew impatient on the journey." Their impatience and discouragement often led them to grumble against God and Moses, highlighting how discouragement can lead to a lack of trust in God's plan.

2. Joshua's Encouragement: God directly addresses the issue of discouragement with Joshua as he prepares to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. In Joshua 1:9 , God commands, "Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." This verse underscores the importance of courage and faith in overcoming discouragement.

3. Elijah's Despair: The prophet Elijah experienced deep discouragement after his victory over the prophets of Baal. In 1 Kings 19:4, Elijah, overwhelmed and fearing for his life, prays, "I have had enough, LORD. Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers." God's response to Elijah's discouragement was to provide rest, sustenance, and a renewed sense of purpose, demonstrating God's care and provision in times of despair.

4. Nehemiah's Leadership: Nehemiah faced discouragement from both external enemies and internal strife while rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. In Nehemiah 4:10, the people of Judah said, "The strength of the laborers is failing, and there is so much rubble that we will never be able to rebuild the wall." Nehemiah's response was to pray, encourage the people, and remind them of God's greatness and protection, showing the power of leadership and faith in overcoming discouragement.

New Testament Insights

1. Jesus' Teachings: Jesus addressed the issue of discouragement in His teachings, emphasizing trust in God. In John 14:1 , He comforts His disciples, saying, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in Me." Jesus points to faith as the antidote to a troubled and discouraged heart.

2. Paul's Encouragement: The Apostle Paul frequently wrote to encourage early Christians facing persecution and trials. In 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 , Paul writes, "We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed." Paul’s words remind believers that despite external pressures, they are sustained by God's power.

3. Hebrews' Exhortation: The book of Hebrews offers encouragement to believers to persevere in faith. Hebrews 12:3 advises, "Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." This passage encourages believers to look to Jesus as the ultimate example of endurance and faithfulness.

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to combat discouragement through prayer, meditation on Scripture, and fellowship with other believers. Philippians 4:6-7 advises, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This passage highlights the importance of prayer and gratitude in maintaining peace and overcoming discouragement.

In summary, the Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on how to address and overcome discouragement through faith, reliance on God, and the support of the Christian community.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Discourage.

2. (a.) Causing or indicating discouragement.

2603. katabrabeuo -- to give judgment against
... 2603 ("to deprive") refers to discouraging (misleading) believers, diverting
them from their full potential for receiving their (cf. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2603.htm - 7k3820. leb -- inner man, mind, will, heart
... 1), concerned* (1), conscience (1), consider* (2), considered* (2), courage (1),
decided* (1), determine* (1), discouraged* (1), discouraging* (1), doing* (1 ...
/hebrew/3820.htm - 7k

7503. raphah -- sink, relax
... NASB Word Usage abandon* (1), alone* (2), become helpless (1), become* (1), cease
(2), collapses (1), courage* (1), discouraged* (2), discouraging* (1), drawn ...
/hebrew/7503.htm - 6k

3027. yad -- hand
... 1), creditor* (1), custody (4), debt (1), defiantly* (1), delivered (1), deserved*
(1), direction (10), directions (1), discouraged* (2), discouraging* (1), do ...
/hebrew/3027.htm - 8k

5106. nu -- to hinder, restrain, frustrate
... root Definition to hinder, restrain, frustrate NASB Word Usage discouraged* (1),
discouraging* (1), forbid (2), forbidden (1), forbids (1), frustrates (1 ...
/hebrew/5106.htm - 6k

How Christ is to be Made Use of as Our Life, in Case of ...
... This is very discouraging; for it made Paul cry out, "Woe is me, miserable man,
who shall deliver me from this body of death?" Romans 7:24. ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xxii how christ is.htm

Further Activity and Death of Muhlenberg.
... Discouraging Conditions."The joyous events of 1748 in Philadelphia were followed
by disappointments to such an extent that after 1754 the synodical meetings ...
/.../bente/american lutheranism/further activity and death of.htm

An Exhortation to the People of God not to be Discouraged in their ...
... nothing for the glory of God, or for your own soul's welfare, but the devil is
dissuading you from it, or distracting you in it, or discouraging you after it. ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/an exhortation to the people.htm

Stumbling-Stones, or Stepping-Stones?
... Sometimes things that are at first very discouraging to us afterwards become sources
of help and encouragement; not that the things themselves change, but ...
/.../naylor/heart talks/talk thirty-seven stumbling-stones or stepping-stones.htm

Exhortation to Workers and Ministers
... During my evangelistic labors I have come to places where from a natural standpoint
the prospect was so discouraging and the religious confusion of the people ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter xxiii exhortation to workers.htm

Significant Phrases
... depravity and frivolity. depressing and discouraging. depth and richness. ... discords
and differences. discouraging and distressing. discovery and invention. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section ii significant phrases.htm

Discouragement
... up and possess it, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not,
neither be discouraged." But the circumstances were so discouraging, and they ...
/.../smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 13 discouragement.htm

Education and Preparation.
... The first result of her tender exhortations and earnest endeavors was very discouraging;
a violent conflict took place in her brother's mind between his ...
/.../education and preparation.htm

Hearken and Look; Or, Encouragement for Believers
... I am afraid that a measure of this tendency to write bitter things dwells in almost
all of us at this present season, for certain discouraging facts which ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/hearken and look or encouragement.htm

Foreword to the First Edition
... Yet, it is still true that "Where there's a will, there's a way," and in spite of
the discouraging features referred to, we believe there is even now a godly ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/foreword to the first edition.htm

Discouraging (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Discourage. 2. (a.) Causing or indicating discouragement.
Multi-Version Concordance Discouraging (2 Occurrences). ...
/d/discouraging.htm - 7k

Discouragement (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of discouraging, or the state of being
discouraged; depression or weakening of confidence; dejection. ...
/d/discouragement.htm - 7k

Discourse (25 Occurrences)

/d/discourse.htm - 14k

Kadesh (30 Occurrences)
... Influenced by the discouraging report, the people abandoned all hope of entering
into the Promised Land. They remained a considerable time at Kadesh. ...
/k/kadesh.htm - 21k

Unfavorable (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Not favorable; not propitious; adverse; contrary;
discouraging. Multi-Version Concordance Unfavorable (1 Occurrence). ...
/u/unfavorable.htm - 6k

Spies (22 Occurrences)
... Their report was very discouraging, and the people were greatly alarmed, and in
a rebellious spirit proposed to elect a new leader and return to Egypt. ...
/s/spies.htm - 15k

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