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Beneath the Surface - Discouragement

I’ve never known God to use a discouraged person.   - DL Moody

Discouragement and feelings of depression are a major tool of the enemy to render us ineffective.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Strongholds are fortresses of thoughts and feelings. They can be positive or negative.  You can have a stronghold of abundance or lack, of optimism or pessimism, of discouragement or joy.

Elijah, the old testament prophet, had a battle with depression.  He was having a great week – he faced off with the prophets of Ball, called down fire and ended a 3-year drought!  But he forgot that success is never final, failure is never fatal.

1Kings 19:1-10

Discouragement and depression:

1. Will put you in a slumber.

Elijah slept under the juniper tree.

Keep serving. When people quit serving – they are headed for trouble.

2. Will make you want to isolate & hide.

Elijah left his servant and went off by himself to hide in a cave.

One of the worst things you can do is isolate, even though that’s what you feel like doing!  Stay in church, stay in a Connect Groups! Church will encourage you – people will encourage you – just don’t disconnect! 

Hebrews 10:23-25

3. Will distort your perspective.

Elijah said “I, alone, am left.”

Discouragement and depression will exaggerate your difficulties and obstacles, and will minimize your victories and your blessings.


7 keys to defeating discouragement in your life:

1. Get around encouraging people

1Thessalonians 5:11

Some people are drainers; they bring you down. Purposefully get around people who build you up!

2. Stay in the moment

Hebrews 3:12-13

Today – Live in today. Yesterday is past. Don’t get overwhelmed with yesterday or tomorrow. Know that in this moment – you are blessed.

3. Be an encourager

1 Thessalonians 5:14

The best way to end a pity party is to leave that party. Go start an encouragement party. Look for someone to encourage.

4. Learn how to encourage yourself

Judges 20:22
1 Samuel 30:6
Psalm 42:11

Put on worship music. Get in the word. Pray in the spirit. Quote Scripture. Talk sense into yourself. Ultimately – no one can encourage me if I won’t encourage myself.

5. Stay in the Word

Romans 15:4

I want to challenge you to keep your heart and head in the Bible. I have read the Bible diligently for 34 years and it never ceases to amaze me -  the power of the word to lift my soul in the right now!

6. Stay close to God

Romans 15:5

God gives encouragement. Stay close to God. He is a lifter. He is a helper. Watch out for relational drift with God.

7. Trust God with your life and your future

Hebrews 6:18

I don’t know what tomorrow holds but I know who holds tomorrow. The future is ours because the future is His!