3 simple ways to defeat discouragement
At first glance, David's question might seem to be redundant.
"Why am I discouraged?
Obviously something's wrong and I know what that something is!"
But when we look a little closer, we realize that David isn't asking us the obvious—he's cluing us in on what we're missing.
Discouragement grabs us when we see our situations more than we see God. To defeat discouragement, take the following three steps:
Step 1: Make a choice. David changes his thinking when he says those powerful words: "I will." Say it, like King David. "I will believe God." Make the choice to stop seeing the overwhelming obstacles and focus on the strength that God's Word offers.
Step 2: Praise God in the midst of the storm.
It's just human nature to grumble when things are going wrong, but David challenges us to rise above our own humanity and praise God when we may not feel like it. You see, when we focus more on who God is, instead of how bad our circumstances are, something inside us can find a reason to sing. David's words: "I will praise Him again." You might have lost your job, but God still made the sun to shine this morning. You may have been diagnosed with cancer, but Jesus still loves you. There's always a reason to praise God. We'll find the ability to do so if we focus on Him instead of ourselves.
Step 3: Recognize Christ as your savior and your God.
Jesus didn't just die to save us from sin. He can also save us from sickness, from hurt, from despair—or from any other evil known to man. To defeat discouragement, accept that He is your savior, even though the situation still seems overwhelming. Faith isn't the absence of opposition; it is the ability to stand firm on God's promises despite the opposition. Vocalize the reality of God's word. Tell Him, "You are my savior." Not only is He the one that you worship in the midst of the storm (your God), but He's also the one who is "mighty to save." Be encouraged! No matter what you're facing, there is an answer in the word of God.
