Five Tools For Defeating Discouragement
What is discouragement?
Defined as ‘the state of being deprived of courage, hope and confidence’ discouragement is a common emotion felt by everyone. However, the Bible tells us not to be discouraged. 1 Chronicles 28:20 says to ‘be strong and courageous … do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you’. So, if discouragement is not from Yahweh, then who is it from? In the book of Job, Satan tries, at every turn, to discourage Job and force him to turn away from the Lord; have no doubt that he would do the same to any of us if given the chance.
Dr. Tim Kimmel[1], of Family Matters Ministry, makes no bones in discussing the tools the Satan will use against us. Fortunately, we have our own weapons to use against the Deceiver, as outlined in his sermon and in this article.
1. Truth (Psalm 119:111, 160; Revelations 22:6)
It is not through his history with the truth that Satan is known as the Deceiver. In fact, Satan showed his nature when he deceived Adam and Eve in Genesis. The only way to defend ourselves against his lies is through the truth we find in God’s word, also known as the Book of Truth.
2. Rest (Mark 6:31)
“Neither cars, stomachs, nor courage can run on empty.”[2] Rest is as necessary to a healthy body as eating, sleeping, and breathings. When the United States went to war with Iraq in 1990, the United States military spent a month dropping missiles every thirty minutes to prevent the Iraqi military from sleeping. When the United States finally sent in foot soldiers, they found little resistance, in fact many of Iraq’s soldiers surrendered without any resistance at all.[3] How much more so can Satan rob us of our strength, joy, and courage by ensuring that we have no time to recharge?
3. Quiet (Psalm 46:10)
Currently, quiet is a foreign sound. We have our MP3 players, our CD players, the TV, the vacuum cleaner … the list goes on. However, quiet is as necessary to us as is rest, and often tie together. Studies have shown that even low-level noises have been associated with increased aggression, and other mental problems.[4] Psalm 23:2-3 says ‘He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul’.
4. Prayer (Isaiah 40:31)
Through the good example of countless people in the Bible, we know that prayer is important; it is our main way of communicating with our Lord. However, prayer is more than that. In Luke 22:46 Jesus warns the disciples to pray, lest they fall into temptation; through this we know that prayer is a shield against temptation. Then, in John 17:15, Jesus prays ‘that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one’. Through this, we can infer that prayer is for protection. In short, prayer is a shield of protection .
5. Laughter (Proverbs 15:13, 15)
‘A person without a sense of humor is like a car without shock absorbers – jolted by every pothole in the road.’[5] It is difficult to be discourage, fearful, and/or tired when you are laughing. Studies have shown that laughing relaxes the entire body, boosts the immune system, triggers endorphins, and protects the heart.[6] Furthermore, laughter is Godly. Job 8:21 says ‘He will fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy’ and Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us there is a time for everything, including laughter. In fact, laughter is promised to those who weep in Luke 6:21.
While nowhere in the Bible are we promised a strife free life,
we have been given the tools needed to emerge victorious. ‘But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain’.[7]
[1] Used with Dr. Kimmel's permission.
[2] Kimmel, Tim. (2012.) Standing Up to the Things that Get You Down. GSCC; Boring, OR.
[3] Journal of Mine Resistence. (2004.) A Soldier’s Diary of Desert Storm. Retrieved 12 March 2012 from http://maic.jmu.edu/journal/5.3/focus/Buse_Darin/Buse_Darin.htm
[4] SeniorSite.com. (2012.) Health Benefits of Quiet. Tips for Silence Habits. Retrieved 12 March 2012 from http://www.seniorsite.com/healthstyle/health-benefits-of-quiet.asp
[5] MacKay, Harvey. www.harveymackay.com
[6] HelpGuide.org. (2012.) Laughter is the Best Medicine. Retrieved 12 March 2012 fromhttp://www.helpguide.org/life/humor_laughter_health.htm.
[7] 1 Corinthians 15:57-58
