The term "dispirited" refers to a state of being discouraged, downcast, or lacking in spirit and hope. In the context of the Bible, this condition is often addressed with encouragement, divine intervention, and the promise of God's presence and support. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings that speak to the condition of being dispirited and offer guidance for overcoming it.

Biblical Instances and Teachings

1. Elijah's Despair: One of the most notable examples of a dispirited individual in the Bible is the prophet Elijah. After his victory over the prophets of Baal, Elijah fled from Queen Jezebel and became deeply discouraged. In 1 Kings 19:4, Elijah expresses his despair: "He went on 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.'" Despite his despondency, God provided for Elijah's needs and spoke to him in a gentle whisper, renewing his strength and purpose.

2. The Israelites in the Wilderness: The Israelites frequently experienced moments of being dispirited during their journey through the wilderness. 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 to complaints against God and Moses, yet God continued to guide and provide for them, demonstrating His faithfulness.

3. David's Psalms: King David, known for his heartfelt psalms, often expressed feelings of being dispirited. 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." David's psalms frequently transition from expressions of despair to declarations of trust in God's deliverance and faithfulness.

4. Jesus' Encouragement: In the New Testament, Jesus offers comfort to those who are dispirited. In Matthew 11:28-30, He invites, "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." Jesus' words provide assurance of rest and relief for the weary and dispirited.

5. Paul's Exhortation: The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often addresses the condition of being dispirited and offers encouragement. In 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, he 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 emphasizes the resilience and hope found in Christ, even amidst trials and discouragement.

Spiritual Remedies and Encouragement

The Bible offers several remedies for those who are dispirited:

· Prayer and Supplication: Philippians 4:6-7 encourages believers to present their requests to God with thanksgiving, promising that "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

· Community and Fellowship: Hebrews 10:24-25 highlights the importance of encouraging one another and gathering together, especially in times of discouragement.

· Scripture and Meditation: Psalm 119:105 describes God's Word as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, providing guidance and hope.

· Faith and Trust in God: Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

The Bible consistently points to God's presence, promises, and the community of believers as sources of strength and encouragement for those who are dispirited. Through faith, prayer, and reliance on God's Word, believers can find renewed hope and purpose.1. (imp. & p. p.) of Dispirit.

2. (a.) Depressed in spirits; disheartened; daunted.

4496. rhipto -- to throw, cast, spec. to throw off, toss
... to throw off, toss NASB Word Usage cast (1), dispirited (1), laid...down (1),
threw (2), throwing off (1), thrown (1), had thrown...down (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4496.htm - 7k

How the Britons, Being Ravaged by the Scots and Picts, Sought ...
... This being presently finished, they gave the dispirited people good advice,
and showed them how to furnish themselves with arms. ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xii how the britons.htm

A Day to be Remembered
... by it, but the main purpose of our blessed Lord, in uttering those words, was not
to answer objectors, but to comfort one who might feel dispirited by their ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 46 1900/a day to be remembered.htm

From his Return to England in 1824, to the Commencement of his ...
... The dispirited state of mind which John Yeardley had brought with him from Germany
accompanied him on this journey, and on the 30th of the Fourth Month he ...
/.../chapter v from his return.htm

Preventive against Backsliding.
... needful" for the people of the Pilgrimage; so they started out but ill provided,
and after a longer or shorter time they became thoroughly dispirited; and then ...
/.../macneil/the spirit-filled life/chapter vi preventive against backsliding.htm

Our Miseries, Messengers of Mercy
... seeing gentler means would not do, he has turned your wine into wormwood, and your
honey into gall; he has made you sick in body and dispirited in mind; your ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/our miseries messengers of mercy.htm

The Builders on the Wall
... work." The remainder of the night he spent in prayer; for he knew that the morning
would call for earnest effort to arouse and unite his dispirited and divided ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 53 the builders on.htm

But if Our Sense is not Able Till after Long Expectation to ...
... says, "The Lord killeth, and maketh alive; he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth
up" (1:Sam.2:6). What could they here do but become dispirited and rush ...
/.../calvin/of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 52 but if our.htm

Dying Men and the Undying Word
... and flattened their enthusiasm; and when, with the advent of a new Persian king,
a brighter day dawned, the little band was almost too dispirited to avail ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/dying men and the undying.htm

How Antony at the Persuasion of Cleopatra Sent Herod to Fight ...
... Now the Jewish nation were affrighted at this invasion, and quite dispirited at
the greatness of their calamities one after another; whom yet Herod got together ...
/.../chapter 19 how antony at.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... myself. I wished to have written to you from Santander, but I was exceedingly
dispirited and could not collect my thoughts. Before ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 31.htm

Dispirited (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp. & pp) of Dispirit. 2. (a.) Depressed in spirits;
disheartened; daunted. Multi-Version Concordance Dispirited (1 Occurrence). ...
/d/dispirited.htm - 6k

Faint (76 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) To decay; to disappear; to vanish. 9. (vt) To cause to faint or become
dispirited; to depress; to weaken. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FAINT. ...
/f/faint.htm - 38k

Ephesians (4 Occurrences)
... an account of the writer's selection to and qualification for the apostolate of
heathendom, a fact so considered as to keep them from being dispirited, and to ...
/e/ephesians.htm - 48k

Depressed (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp. & pp) of Depress. 2. (a.) Pressed or forced
down; lowed; sunk; dejected; dispirited; sad; humbled. ...
/d/depressed.htm - 8k

Dispersions (1 Occurrence)

/d/dispersions.htm - 6k

Displaces (1 Occurrence)

/d/displaces.htm - 6k

Mephibosheth (13 Occurrences)
... His life is a series of disasters, disappointments, and anxieties. It is a weary,
broken, dispirited soul that speaks in all his utterances. ...
/m/mephibosheth.htm - 17k

Hophra (1 Occurrence)
... Reception of Jeremiah and Jewish Captives: When Jerusalem had fallen and
Nebuchadrezzar's governor, Gedaliah, had been assassinated, the dispirited remnant ...
/h/hophra.htm - 11k

Dispersion (4 Occurrences)
... When Gedaliah, the governor of Judea, after the destruction of Jerusalem in 586
BC, had been treacherously murdered, the depressed and dispirited remnant under ...
/d/dispersion.htm - 44k

Pharaoh (245 Occurrences)
... Reception of Jeremiah and Jewish Captives: When Jerusalem had fallen and
Nebuchadrezzar's governor, Gedaliah, had been assassinated, the dispirited remnant ...
/p/pharaoh.htm - 60k

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