Discouragement is a state of mind characterized by a loss of confidence or enthusiasm, often resulting from difficulties or setbacks. In the Bible, discouragement is a common human experience, yet it is addressed with encouragement and hope through faith in God.

Biblical Instances of Discouragement

1. Moses and the Israelites: In the wilderness, the Israelites frequently experienced discouragement due to hardships. 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 led to complaints against God and Moses.

2. Elijah: The prophet Elijah faced discouragement after his victory over the prophets of Baal. In 1 Kings 19:4, Elijah, fearing for his life, "went a day's journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. 'I have had enough, LORD,' he said. 'Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.'"

3. David: King David often expressed feelings of discouragement in the Psalms. In Psalm 42:5, he writes, "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him for the salvation of His presence."

Responses to Discouragement

1. Trust in God: The Bible consistently encourages believers to place their trust in God during times of discouragement. Isaiah 41:10 offers reassurance: "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."

2. Prayer and Supplication: Philippians 4:6-7 advises believers to turn to prayer: "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."

3. Encouragement from Others: The community of believers is called to support one another. Hebrews 10:24-25 states, "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

4. Hope in Christ: The ultimate source of encouragement is found in Jesus Christ. In John 16:33, Jesus assures His followers, "I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!"

Encouragement in the New Testament

The New Testament frequently addresses the theme of encouragement, urging believers to remain steadfast in their faith. Romans 15:4 highlights the purpose of Scripture: "For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope."

The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often speaks of the importance of encouragement. In 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, he writes, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."

Conclusion

While the Bible acknowledges the reality of discouragement, it consistently points believers toward hope, faith, and the support of the Christian community. Through trust in God, prayer, and the encouragement of others, believers are equipped to overcome feelings of discouragement and find renewed strength in their spiritual journey.(imp. & p. p.) of Discourage.1129. gumnasia -- exercise
... That is, when physical exercise (like yoga) is viewed as "the gateway to experience
true spirituality." Thus exercise is not discouraged here, only required in ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1129.htm - 7k7114. qatsar -- to be short
... cut down, much discouraged, grieve, harvestman, loathe, mourn, reaper,
A primitive root; to dock off, ie Curtail (transitive or ...
/hebrew/7114.htm - 5k

3820. leb -- inner man, mind, will, heart
... 1), concern* (1), concerned* (1), conscience (1), consider* (2), considered* (2),
courage (1), decided* (1), determine* (1), discouraged* (1), discouraging* (1 ...
/hebrew/3820.htm - 7k

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

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

Obedience not Discouraged by Preaching God's Gifts.
... A Treatise on the gift of perseverance, Chapter 50."Obedience Not Discouraged
by Preaching God's Gifts. Such doctors, and so great ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 50 obedience not discouraged by.htm

An Exhortation to the People of God not to be Discouraged in their ...
... An Exhortation to the People of God Not to Be Discouraged in Their Way, by
the Scoffs and Contempt of Wicked Men. Hebrews 4:9 " "There ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/an exhortation to the people.htm

Christian Work.
... I remember a few years ago I got discouraged, and could not see much fruit of my
work; and one morning, as I was in my study, cast down, one of my Sabbath ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/christian work.htm

In the Dungeon of Giant Discourager
... I feel very discouraged at times, and sometimes the spells of discouragement
hang on for a long while. ... It is no sin to feel discouraged. ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/chapter nine in the dungeon.htm

Discouragement
... Chapter 13 Discouragement. "The soul of the people was much discouraged because
of the way." The church of Christ abounds with people ...
/.../smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 13 discouragement.htm

Colossians iii. 18-25
... Fathers, provoke not your children, that they be not discouraged. ... Ver.21. "Fathers,
provoke not your children, that they be not discouraged.". Lo! ...
/.../homily x colossians iii 18-25.htm

Blighted Blossoms
... How many blossoms of desire we possess! but how little fruit of real
accomplishment! Seeing this, we sometimes become discouraged. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk five blighted blossoms.htm

Fear Not
... 14. I SHALL SPEAK this morning to those that are discouraged, depressed
in spirit, and sore troubled in the Christian life. There ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/fear not.htm

Children Brought to Christ, and not to the Font
... He was displeased with his disciples for two reasons: first, because they discouraged
those who would bring others to him; and secondly, because they ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/children brought to christ and.htm

How Christ is to be Made Use of as Our Life, in Case of ...
... yet cannot say that ever it knew what those incomes of joy and comfort meant which
some have tasted largely of, it cannot choose but be discouraged and much ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xxii how christ is.htm

Discouraged (19 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Discouraged (19 Occurrences). Colossians 3:21 Fathers,
don't provoke your children, so that they won't be discouraged. ...
/d/discouraged.htm - 12k

Discourage (3 Occurrences)
... the courage of; to dishearten; to depress the spirits of; to deprive of confidence;
to deject; -- the opposite of encourage; as, he was discouraged in his ...
/d/discourage.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

Viewed (9 Occurrences)
... Numbers 32:9 For when they went up to the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land, they
discouraged the heart of the children of Israel, that they should not go ...
/v/viewed.htm - 9k

Jehoahaz (22 Occurrences)
... of Jehoahaz as sole ruler may be dated about 825 BC 2. Low Condition of the Kingdom:
When Jehoahaz came to the throne, he found a discouraged and humiliated ...
/j/jehoahaz.htm - 23k

Lend (21 Occurrences)
... (6) According to Apocrypha (The Wisdom of Solomon 15:16; Sirach 8:12; 18:33;
20:15, 29; 4 Maccabees 2:8), borrowing is discouraged, and lending is exalted as ...
/l/lend.htm - 18k

Walls (152 Occurrences)
... our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller
than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have ...
/w/walls.htm - 38k

Walled (63 Occurrences)
... our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller
than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have ...
/w/walled.htm - 25k

Islands (32 Occurrences)
... (WEB NIV). Isaiah 42:4 He will not fail nor be discouraged, until he has set justice
in the earth, and the islands will wait for his law." (WEB NIV). ...
/i/islands.htm - 16k

Isles (32 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT). Isaiah 42:4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till
he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. ...
/i/isles.htm - 17k

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