This article offers scriptures on discouragement.
Bible verses to read along with practical tips to implement when you feel defeated
If there’s one thing that this world promises, it’s valleys to go along with your mountains. In fact, Jesus tells us that we will go through trials and tribulations. If you’re feeling defeated today, I’m right there with you.
God called me to do something and I started working on it. Yet, it feels like I’m in the wilderness. It seems like I have involuntarily entered battles only to sustain defeat after defeat.
What seems to come so easily for someone else, seems to be alluding to me on purpose. As a result, I’m left sitting and wanting to give up on the whole thing.
Can you relate?
However, one thing God doesn’t want us to do is throw a pity party for ourselves. He wants us to do exactly what you are doing at this very moment. He wants us to seek comfort and resolution in His word.
Whether you’re feeling discouraged in your calling, relationships, or just life in general, I’m going to share with you some scriptures and biblical tips that are helping me overcome my sense of defeat.
Because you know what, we are not a failure. We are the righteousness of Christ and we are the head and not the tail. We are above and not beneath.
We will not fall into the enemy’s trap of despair. Instead, we will stand on God’s word and fight with its truth. Are you with me?
Good. So first up.
Whenever I’m going through a difficult time, I like to try and find biblical characters who went through something similar. It helps me to see how they dealt with it, learn from any of their mistakes, and see God in action.
Because I know if He did it for them, He’ll do it for me (and you). So that’s where we’ll start.
Stories of discouragement in the Bible
Here are a few Christians who faced discouragement in the Bible.
Naomi
Naomi was a woman who knew despair. Fleeing a severe famine, she and her family left Judah in search of better opportunities. They ended up settling in the land of Moab.
In their new life, things seemed to be looking up for a period of time. However, Naomi soon found herself faced with her first great sorrow. Elimelech, her husband, died. Later on, she would also lose both her sons.
As one can imagine, this left her in shambles. Hearing that the Lord had come to Judah’s rescue, she decided to return home in her grief.
Upon arriving, she stated that her name was no longer Naomi which means pleasant or gentle. She asked the people to call her Mara which means bitter.
God never gave her that name, but she took it on convinced that God’s hand was against her. (Ruth 1:20-21).
Naomi’s story of tragedy later turned into a story of love and joy. Her daughter-in-law Ruth stuck by her side. It was through Ruth that she had a grandson, an ancestor of Jesus.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/348606827422131534/Joseph
The man of dreams.
God provided Joseph with dreams of what He would become. When he told his dreams to his brothers, he was met with envy and hate.
Their feelings boiled over and they made plans to kill Joseph. However, they settled on selling him into slavery. They covered it up by showing their father Joseph’s robe dipped in goat’s blood. His Father mourned thinking Joseph had been attacked and killed by an animal.
Joseph soon found himself a servant in the home of Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, far away from home and his parents. God was with Joseph and he excelled at everything he did gaining favor. Yet, he found himself again in trouble.
Potiphar’s wife attempted to seduce Joseph. However, Joseph was obedient to God and to Potiphar. When he rejected her, she accused him of violating her.
Joseph then found himself in jail for a crime he did not commit. You can see how discouraged he must have felt. But, Joseph’s story wouldn’t instantly get better. Although, like anyone else in his situation, he was likely pleading that it would.
Joseph was able to interpret dreams. While in prison, he provided help to Pharaoh’s cupbearer. Joseph’s only request was the cupbearer remember him when Pharaoh restored his position.
The cupbearer forgot Joseph. Two years later, Pharaoh had a dream and this is when Joseph is remembered and summoned.
He interprets Pharaoh’s dream and not only is he released from prison, but he is placed 2nd in command to Pharaoh. He ends up saving Egypt and all of his family (Abraham’s descendants) from a deadly famine just as God had shown Him in his dreams.
Hannah
Hannah was a woman who struggled with infertility. Penninah, her husband’s second wife, was able to have children and she mocked Hannah for it.
Hannah felt so much sorrow and discouragement, that she refused to eat. However, there is no mention of her lashing out or seeking revenge on Penninah. She chose to allow God to fight her battle.
She went to God with a prayer from her heart. Although she had been praying and asking for years with seemingly no results, she continued to trust God.
And even when it didn’t feel like it, we can deduce from her story that God listened to every word throughout the years. He was just waiting for the time He had appointed. And at the right time, He honored her request.
Hannah is now known as the mother of Samuel, a prophet, judge, and leader who would guide the first kings of Israel. She would also go on to bear more children singing songs of praise to God.
You can check out my blog post on six things to learn from Hannah for more encouragement.
Job
He committed no crimes and was known for being a righteous man. Yet, this put a target on his back as the enemy became laser-focused on him.
He lost everything. Seemingly in the blink of an eye, his children and wealth were gone. After all was said and done, he was left sitting in sackcloth in ashes picking at sores on his skin.
When his friends came to visit, they were convinced that he had committed some sin to bring this upon himself. They pleaded for him to repent. Yet, he had done nothing but serve God.
In his grief, pain, and despair, he was tempted to “curse God and die.” He did not.
Job 13:15 states,
Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.
Job had every reason to feel discouraged and confused. He even questioned God bringing his case before Him. In the end, God corrected Job and provided restoration giving Him more than what he lost.
Scriptures on Discouragement: What to read when you feel defeated.
Now that we have discussed some biblical characters who faced discouragement, let’s look at what God has to say about feeling discouraged.
Psalm 42:5 (NIV):
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV):
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Joshua 1:9 (NIV):
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Psalm 34:17-18 (NIV):
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
John 16:33 (NIV):
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV):
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
Psalm 55:22 (NIV):
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV):
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Psalm 34:4 (NIV):
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.”
Psalm 94:19 (NIV):
“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV):
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Romans 15:13 (NIV):
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV):
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
Psalm 37:23-24 (NIV):
“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”
Psalm 27:13-14 (NIV):
“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV):
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Psalm 139:7-10 (NIV):
“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”
Just know no matter where we are or what we’re facing, God’s presence is always with us. These scriptures are reminders of His constant care and guidance, even in times of discouragement.
Practical things you can do to overcome discouragement
Here are some things that I have been implementing to help me overcome discouragement. I hope they help you as well.
Practice Having a Thankful Heart
When you are discouraged and frustrated, this isn’t something that will come naturally (at first). Usually, the first response is to start a wave of complaining which does nothing for our situation. Instead of giving glory to the problems, let’s give it to God.
I promise you it will change your mood and your perspective. Look around you and start thanking God for everything you see.
For instance, God, thank you for my legs, my feet, the floor, this house, running water…..and so on. Now watch how things change.
Avoid being guided by emotions
Emotions change so easily. One minute you’re up and the next it can feel like the weight of the world is on you. If you swing with your emotions only doing what you feel like at the time, nothing will get done.
Instead of leaning on your emotions, lean on God. Don’t act on them, but ask God to help you manage them. Walk by faith and not by sight. Rebuke the flesh and walk in the Spirit.
The enemy will use your emotions against you. He can’t have you out here fulfilling your calling and worshiping God. So he will use whatever tools he can to distract you in attempts to destroy that calling.
Be on guard.
Ask for God’s Perspective in Prayer
Oftentimes, our perspectives do not align with God’s. Metaphorically, we can only see what’s a few steps in front of us. However, God is looking at the past, present, and future at the same time.
1 Corinthians 13:12 states:
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
This is similar to what he was telling Job. We cannot fully understand the complexities of life. And this is why He asks us to be like children trusting that He is more than capable of taking care of our every need.
So I encourage you to ask Him to change your perspective. Ask for the ability to see things the way God does.
And if He denies your request at this moment (because it’s likely for your good), trust Him anyway.
Seek God in the outdoors.
For me, being outside and seeing the beauty of nature (God’s masterpieces) brings joy and admiration. Feeling the sun on my skin while staring at the pretty blue skies with white clouds, reminds me of his greatness and sovereignty.
It’s amazing what a 30-minute…even a 10-minute walk can do to uplift the spirit and clear the mind.
Guard your heart
If there is something on social media or TV that you’re watching that is allowing the spirit of comparison to seep in and worsen your mood, cut it off. Unfollow the page or block it if you must.
Ask God to help you use social media and pick shows that are enriching your soul and not draining it.
Check out my blog article on what it means to guard your heart in Christ for more encouragement in this area.
Recognize your spiritual season and learn from it.
Discouragement is one of our biggest enemies during the spiritual season of winter. In this season, you will feel cold and isolated. The enemy will try his best to convince you that God has forgotten you.
But, you can be confident that He has not. Just as we learned from Job, not all suffering is punishment from God. He’s using this season as a stepping stone for greater.
When you recognize this season for what it is, you won’t try only to survive it, but thrive in it with God’s help.
Trust God to be God
This means surrendering your control and your will to God. Trust His sovereignty, might, and wisdom. As you let go, trust Him to uphold you in His righteous right hand.
He has never failed anyone and He won’t start with you.
Prayer on discouragement
Dear God,
Today I’m feeling really discouraged. Father, I come to seek your help. I ask for your perspective so that I may see clearly. I pray for your comfort, peace, and guidance, especially during this time.
I pray for the ability to hear you clearly. And God, if you choose not to give me the answers at this moment, help me to trust your plans knowing that they are working everything together for my good.
God, I surrender my situation and my will to you.
In Jesus’s name. Amen.
Final thoughts on what God says about discouragement.
In this article, we have discussed biblical characters who faced discouragement, explored bible verses on discouragement, and listed some practical tips to implement when feeling defeated.
As we close this article on scriptures on discouragement, remember that He has promised never to leave you nor forsake you. Your current situation is a part of His plan. He will never give you more than you can bear.
Hang in there. Because He’s watching.
Until next time.
-Dr. Jay
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