Discouragement is a state of mind characterized by a loss of confidence or enthusiasm, often resulting from setbacks, opposition, or difficult circumstances. In the Bible, discouragement is a common human experience, yet it is addressed with guidance and encouragement from God. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings on how to confront and overcome discouragement through faith, prayer, and reliance on God's promises.

Biblical Examples of Discouragement

1. Moses: Moses experienced discouragement during his leadership of the Israelites. In Numbers 11:14-15 , Moses expresses his frustration to God, saying, "I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. If this is how You are going to treat me, please go ahead and kill me—if I have found favor in Your eyes—and do not let me face my own ruin."

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 dealt with discouragement, as seen 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."

Biblical Teachings on Overcoming Discouragement

1. Trust in God's Presence: The Bible encourages believers to trust in God's constant presence and support. In Deuteronomy 31:8 , it is written, "The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged."

2. Prayer and Supplication: Prayer is a powerful tool against discouragement. 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."

3. Strength in Christ: Believers are reminded of the strength available through Christ. Philippians 4:13 states, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."

4. Encouragement from Others: The Christian community plays a vital role in overcoming discouragement. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages believers to "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."

5. Hope in God's Promises: The Bible is filled with promises that provide hope and encouragement. Romans 15:13 offers a prayer for hope: "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Conclusion

While discouragement is a natural part of the human experience, the Bible provides a wealth of resources for believers to draw upon. Through faith, prayer, community, and the promises of God, Christians are equipped to face and overcome the challenges of discouragement.Hebrews 12:1
Why seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Topicalbible.org

Romans 8:26
Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Topicalbible.org

2 Corinthians 12:9
And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest on me.
Topicalbible.org

Ephesians 5:18
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Topicalbible.org

1. (n.) The act of discouraging, or the state of being discouraged; depression or weakening of confidence; dejection.

2. (n.) That which discourages; that which deters, or tends to deter, from an undertaking, or from the prosecution of anything; a determent; as, the revolution was commenced under every possible discouragement.

Discouragement
... Chapter 13 Discouragement. ... There is nothing that so paralyzes effort as discouragement,
and nothing that more continually and successfully invites defeat. ...
/.../smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 13 discouragement.htm

Election no Discouragement to Seeking Souls
... Election no Discouragement to Seeking Souls. A Sermon (No.553). Delivered on
Sunday Morning, February 7th, 1864, by the. Rev. CH SPURGEON,. ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/election no discouragement to seeking.htm

A Second Discouragement in Prayer Opposite to Perseverance, to Wit ...
... A second discouragement in prayer opposite to perseverance, to wit? ... 1, 2. A second
discouragement in prayer opposite to perseverance, to wit, Distractions. ...
/.../chapter vi a second discouragement.htm

One Great Discouragement to Felicity
... THE FOURTH CENTURY 13 One great discouragement to Felicity. One great
discouragement to Felicity, or rather to great souls in the ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/13 one great discouragement to.htm

Letter xiv. --On Discouragement.
... THIRD BOOK. ON THE OBSTACLES TO ABANDONMENT. Letter XIV."On Discouragement.
To the same person. On discouragement. My dear Sister,. ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/letter xiv on discouragement.htm

In the Dungeon of Giant Discourager
... IN THE DUNGEON OF GIANT DISCOURAGER I feel very discouraged at times, and sometimes
the spells of discouragement hang on for a long while. ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/chapter nine in the dungeon.htm

That the Miseries Still Grew Worse; and How the Romans Made an ...
... did their souls faint with so many instances of ill success; nay, the very calamities
themselves that were in the city proved a greater discouragement to the ...
/.../chapter 1 that the miseries.htm

The Abiding of the Spirit the Glory of the Church
... I shall enter fully upon the subject, by the assistance of the Holy Spirit,
by calling your attention to discouragement forbidden. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/the abiding of the spirit.htm

Rejoicing in the Lord
... Many, walking along the path of life, dwell upon their mistakes and failures and
disappointments, and their hearts are filled with grief and discouragement. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 13 rejoicing in the.htm

How Christ is to be Made Use of as Our Life, in Case of ...
... 3. As for that felt weakness of grace, that is no ground of discouragement, so long
as he liveth who can make the lame to leap as an hart, and can make waters ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xxii how christ is.htm

Discouragement (1 Occurrence)
... or tends to deter, from an undertaking, or from the prosecution of anything; a
determent; as, the revolution was commenced under every possible discouragement. ...
/d/discouragement.htm - 7k

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

Discouraged (19 Occurrences)

/d/discouraged.htm - 12k

Ramothgilead (19 Occurrences)
... him in a campaign. Despite the discouragement of Micalab, the royal pair
set out on the disastrous enterprise. In their attack on ...
/r/ramothgilead.htm - 19k

Ramoth-gilead (20 Occurrences)
... him in a campaign. Despite the discouragement of Micalab, the royal pair
set out on the disastrous enterprise. In their attack on ...
/r/ramoth-gilead.htm - 20k

Revive (31 Occurrences)
... to reanimate. 5. (vi) To raise from coma, languor, depression, or
discouragement; to bring into action after a suspension. 6. (vi ...
/r/revive.htm - 18k

Despondency (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The state of desponding; loss of hope and cessation
of effort; discouragement; depression or dejection of the mind. ...
/d/despondency.htm - 6k

Discomfort (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (vt) Discouragement. 4. (vt) Want of comfort; uneasiness, mental or physical;
disturbance of peace; inquietude; pain; distress; sorrow. ...
/d/discomfort.htm - 7k

Despair (23 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Hopelessness; despondency; discouragement. 2.
(vt) To give up as beyond hope or expectation; to despair of. ...
/d/despair.htm - 14k

Die (401 Occurrences)
... to be extinguished. 5. (vi) To sink; to faint; to pine; to languish, with
weakness, discouragement, love, etc. 6. (vi) To become ...
/d/die.htm - 42k

What is the key to overcoming discouragement? | GotQuestions.org

How can I restore my soul? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about giving up? | GotQuestions.org

Discouragement: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus