When we lose our jobs or plans go awry, the feeling of discouragement can be overwhelming, leaving us feeling far away from God. But the Bible equips us to learn how to deal with discouragement so that we feel CLOSER to Him than ever before. Drawn from the UCB Word For Today by Bob and Debby Gass, this plan brings you God’s Word to lean on when you’re discouraged.
UCB Word For Today, written by Bob and Debby Gass.
Day 1
Scriptures: Micah 7:7-8, Ephesians 6:10-12
How to get back up (1)
‘Though I have fallen, I will rise.’ – Micah 7:8 NIV
We all get despondent from time to time. It can happen on the heels of a great success or victory. Counsellors say that for every high there is a corresponding low. Or it can be caused by disappointment in people; someone we trusted lets us down and we experience anger and resentment. When we lose a job, we don’t just lose our financial security; sometimes we lose our identity and sense of worth as a person. The cause of our despondency is often physical. When we don’t get enough rest, proper food, and exercise we get run down. Sometimes the cause is chemical. When the brain’s chemical messengers that are called neurotransmitters are healthy, we are too. But when some of those transmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, are absent, low, or imbalanced, we struggle and feel depleted. In this case medication may be needed to correct the chemical imbalance. And the cause can also be spiritual. Jesus said that Satan comes to ‘steal, kill and destroy’ (John 10:10 GNT). That’s why the Bible says, ‘Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against…spiritual forces of evil’ (Ephesians 6:10-12 NIVUK). Often spiritual warfare is either at the root of our problems or is exacerbating them. So each morning when you get dressed, be sure to put on your spiritual armour and draw on ‘His mighty power’ throughout the day. When you’re down, that’s how you get back up.
Prayer Point: Pray for those who are feeling despondent.
Day 2
Scripture: 1 Kings 19:10-21
How to get back up (2)
‘Stand…in the presence of the LORD.’ – 1 Kings 19:11 NIV
When Elijah reached his lowest point, God told him two things: 1) ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord.’ He helped Elijah to stop thinking about himself and his problems and start thinking about God. When God has your ear, He can speak into it. When He has your heart, He can minister to it. That’s why Scripture reading is so important. If life is dragging you down and you’re ready to stand back up, climb into God’s Word, claim His promises, ask for His help, and talk plainly to Him. 2) ‘Anoint Elisha…to succeed you as prophet’ (v. 16 NIV 2011 Edition). Take the focus off yourself and look for someone to minister to. There are many people who are also struggling with problems and worries. They need someone like you to come alongside them, and, if nothing else, let them know you can relate to how they feel. They need someone like you to minister to them, to encourage them. If you want to see the fog of discouragement lifted, stop looking in the mirror and start looking out the window. The famous psychiatrist Karl Menninger was asked, ‘What would you advise a person to do who is experiencing depression and unhappiness?’ He replied, ‘Lock the door behind you. Go across the street. Find somebody who has a need and do something to help them.’ It’s so simple, yet we keep missing it! The truth is – by helping others you help yourself.
Prayer Point: Ask God to show you someone who you can get alongside and help.
Day 3
Scriptures: Psalms 39:7, Isaiah 41:10
Growing Through Discouragement
‘Lord, where do I put my hope?’ – Psalm 39:7 NLT
Here are four suggestions to help you survive and grow through upheavals such as an unexpected job loss, the death of a loved one, a failed marriage or a serious health issue: 1) Admit how you feel. That doesn’t mean sitting around wallowing in negativity; it means trusting God enough to acknowledge how you really feel. Pretending things are fine when they’re not, makes it harder to get back up. We all have down times. The Psalmist asked God to help him cope with despondency (Psalms 42-43). And at one point Paul was under so much pressure he ‘despaired even of life’ (2 Corinthians 1:8 NKJV). 2) Identify the source. Discouragement often comes on the heels of a setback or disappointment. Did something you set your heart on fall apart? Were your hopes unrealistic to start with? Did somebody let you down? Or is your dejection coming from a generalised feeling of burnout? 3) Talk with a trusted counsellor. Solomon said, ‘The more wise counsel…the better your chances’ (Proverbs 11:14 MSG). Don’t let pride prevent you from opening up to those who will listen empathetically and respond wisely. Talking to the right people can lessen your sense of isolation, and also pave the way for others who are hurting to do the same. (4) Be open before God. He, not fate or circumstances, gets to write the last chapter. Maybe He’s trying to teach you something or redirect your energies. David said, ‘Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.’ When your hope is in God, He replaces discouragement with confidence so that what you’re going through can become a path to spiritual growth.
Prayer: Ask God to help you grow through any discouragement you’re dealing with at the moment.
Day 4
Scriptures: Romans 8:26-39, 2 Corinthians 12:5-10
Seek His Help Today
‘The Spirit also helps our weakness.’ – Romans 8:26 NASB
Paul writes: ‘The Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God’ (vv. 26-27 NASB). So what is this ‘weakness’ in prayer that we are subject to? It’s that sometimes we don’t know how to express the depth of our desires and feelings, nor do we even realise what we need. Sometimes we’re so exhausted in spirit, mind, and body, that we can hardly muster the energy to open our mouths. There are instances when discouragement has taken such a strong hold of your heart that you can’t imagine a way out of your circumstances. That’s when you need to ask for the Holy Spirit’s help! When you are a believer, the Holy Spirit supplies you with the two things you can’t live without: 1) The ability to know what God is saying to you. Sometimes you can’t trust your own wisdom or the advice of those closest to you. 2) How to have an intimate relationship with God. One of the most wonderful things Jesus said was, ‘I have called you friends’ (John 15:15 KJV). But friendships aren’t built on a hit-and-run basis; they take time and communication. Jesus described His relationship with the Father like this: ‘The Father loves the Son and shows him everything’ (John 5:20 NLT). And not only does the Holy Spirit show you what to do, He empowers you to do it. So seek His help today.
Prayer Point: Thank God that you can have an intimate relationship with Him.
Day 5
Scriptures: Genesis 39, John 16:33
Keep On Praying
‘Never stop praying.’ – 1 Thessalonians 5:17 CEV
Have you become discouraged and stopped praying about the problem? If so, the word for you today is: ‘Keep on praying.’ God may not answer in the way you think He should, or within the time frame you think He should, but when you pray according to His Word, He has promised to answer: ‘No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly’ (Psalm 84:11 NKJV). When the children of Israel went to battle against a vastly superior army of Amalekites, Moses selected the Mountain of Prayer over the Valley of Battle and the Israelites won (see Exodus 17:8-13). When Abraham learned about the impending destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, he ‘remained standing before the LORD’ (Genesis 18:22 NIV) rather than rushing out to warn the cities. When advisors informed Nehemiah that Jerusalem was in ruins, what did he do? Before he laid one stone in the foundation, he built a foundation of prayer under the whole project (see Nehemiah 1:4). Paul’s letters contain more requests for prayer than they do appeals for money or comfort. And what about Jesus? He rose up early to pray (see Mark 1:35). He dismissed people to pray (see Matthew 14:23). He climbed a mountain to pray (see Luke 9:28). Before going to the cross, He prayed all night (see Luke 22:39-46). Every word He spoke and every work He performed was saturated in prayer. And if He needed to do that, you do too! Bottom line: you can accomplish great things after you’ve prayed, but nothing great until you’ve prayed. So the word for you today is: keep on praying.
Prayer Point: Pray for the persistence to keep praying and trusting God until you have an answer.
Day 6
Scriptures: Hebrews 12:1-3, Matthew 5:10-12
When You’re Facing Opposition
‘Consider him who endured such opposition.’ Hebrews 12:3 NIV
Do you remember the old hit song by Elvis Presley, ‘Don’t you step on my blue suede shoes’? You won’t get too far in life before somebody does that very thing, and steps on your toes. But before you get discouraged and throw in the towel, take another look at the life of Jesus. Though He was perfect in all ways, He was criticised continually. His enemies called Him a ‘glutton and a drunkard’ (Matthew 11:19 NIV). They even accused Him of being possessed by a demon (see John 8:48). Yet He never allowed bitterness or discouragement to defeat Him. To Him, every obstacle was an opportunity to demonstrate grace and grit. His heart was broken by those He loved, yet He understood and comforted others. He saw disease as an opportunity to heal those who were sick; hatred as an opportunity to love His enemies; temptation as an opportunity to overcome the carnal impulses we all deal with; and offences as an opportunity to forgive. He went through life turning trials into triumphs – and He’s our example. The Bible says, ‘Consider him who endured such opposition…so…you will not grow weary and lose heart.’ Pick up your Bible and reread His teachings. In His famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said: ‘You’re familiar with the old written law, “Love your friend,” and its unwritten companion, “Hate your enemy.” I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst…Live generously and graciously towards others’ (Matthew 5:43-48 MSG). That’s how Jesus lived – and that’s how He wants you to live too.
Prayer Point: Pray for those who you struggle to get along with and those who have criticised you.
Day 7
Scriptures: Habakkuk 3:17-18, Psalms 34
It’s a choice
‘Yet I will rejoice in the LORD.’ Habakkuk 3:18 NKJV
Pastor Jim Penner says: ‘I’ll never forget…as an eight-year-old sitting on the step when my mother opened the door to two men who handed her some papers…As tears rolled down [her] cheeks it didn’t take me long to figure out what happened. Money was tight…the bank hadn’t been paid and…our car was repossessed. I also carry with me another image I cherish to this day of my mother praying in her room. In the face of fear two words came through…“Thank You! Thank You!” I thought, “Thank you? You just lost your car; we have no money; what’s going to happen to us?” Her prayer continued, “Thank You, God, for what You’ve provided…and that we have something to eat tonight”…So it went…fifteen minutes, maybe more. Looking back, I gained a lifetime of wisdom in those precious minutes. My mother taught me an attitude of gratefulness in the midst of adversity that I’ll never forget…The tough times didn’t end overnight…but in the years to come God blessed my mother for her steadfast faith.’ Gratitude isn’t a natural response to adversity; it’s a discipline you develop. The psalmist said, ‘Forget not all his benefits’ (Psalm 103:2 KJV). In the midst of trouble, when you don’t think God has blessed you, sit down and recall His faithfulness and you’ll end up filled with joy. Habakkuk said, ‘Fig trees may not grow…there may be no grapes on the vines…no olives…no food growing in the fields…no sheep in the pens and no cattle in the barns. But I will still…rejoice in God my Saviour’ (Habakkuk 3:17-18 NCV). When you take time to give thanks for the blessings in your life, it will change your outlook and attitude.
Prayer Point: Thank God for all the blessings in your life.