To be discouraged is to lose or be deprived of confidence, courage or enthusiasm; it is to become pessimistic or experience a deep sense of failure and desire to quit. Discouragement is often accompanied by fear and/or despair.
Many things happened in Jesus’ life that should have discouraged Him and made Him want to quit. However, Isaiah 42:4 tells us this of Jesus…
“He will not fail nor be discouraged, till He has established justice in the earth….”
Jesus did not fail or give up on His assignment. Despite the challenges, disappointments and threats that He faced, He chose to press on, all the way to the Cross. Despite the intensity of His experience in the Garden of Gethsemane He chose not to be so discouraged that He would throw in the towel; He turned to the Father for help and strength to endure.
Mark 14:33-37 NLT
“[14] He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he became deeply troubled and distressed. [34] He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” [35] He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by. [36] “Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” [37] Then he returned and found the disciples asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour?”
Jesus never gave up, even on the Cross when it appeared the Father had forsaken Him! He hang in there till it He finished His assignment – to die for the sins of humanity. Jesus showed us that we also can make the choice not to allow discouragement to make us depressed, and cause us to despair, lose hope and give up!
Joshua 1:9 NLT
“This is my command-be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.””
God would never ask us to do something, unless it was possible for us to do it. He would never say, “Do not fear,” unless it was possible for us not to fear. He would never say “Be strong and of good courage,” unless it was possible for us to do so. Whenever the Lord admonishes us not to do something, it means that it is possible, and we can make the choice not to do it.
Therefore, ultimately, discouragement is a choice; it is how we choose to respond to the circumstances and challenges that come our way. When we get discouraged, we allow the enemy and the situations and circumstances of life to control and overwhelm us. We become like puppets, with enemy or the challenges and circumstances of life pulling our strings, and influencing our actions. We lose our creativity and become unproductive.
Often, we feel justified to be discouraged, but there is never a justification, because eventually , discouragement will derail you and make you miss your destiny and purpose. It will take away your faith in God, your joy and keep you depressed, if you allow it; which is why you must learn to overcome it. We must never entertain and nurture discouragement in our lives!
2 Corinthians 4:7-9 NLT
“[7] We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. [8] We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. [9] We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.” AMEN!
For Further Reading: Deuteronomy 31:8; Joshua 1:9; Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 42
Fulfilling Our Theme For 2024: “Building The Highway And Lifting The Banner”
“And in that day, there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles shall seek Him…. (therefore) Go through, go through the gates! Prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway! Take out the stones, lift up a banner for the peoples!” [Isaiah 11:10, Isaiah 62:10]
Women In Tune | QUIVER | Cedars House Christian (International)