Discouragement How Jesus Overcame Discouragement

2 Discouragement “to deprive of courage or confidence: dishearten” (Webster) “to deprive of courage or confidence: dishearten” (Webster) May include deep and sober concern due to real problems May include deep and sober concern due to real problems Hard pressed and perplexed, 2 Cor. 4:8-10 Hard pressed and perplexed, 2 Cor. 4:8-10 Jesus faced it and overcame it, Heb. 4:15; 5:7-9 (1 Pet. 2:21) Jesus faced it and overcame it, Heb. 4:15; 5:7-9 (1 Pet. 2:21)

3 Takes Many Forms and has Many Causes Family matters, Jno. 7:3-5 Family matters, Jno. 7:3-5 Troubled marriage, illness, financial concerns, business, etc. Troubled marriage, illness, financial concerns, business, etc. Misunderstandings and conflicts Misunderstandings and conflicts Let none of these become a distracting care, Matt. 6:25, 34 Let none of these become a distracting care, Matt. 6:25, 34

4 Takes Many Forms and has Many Causes Moral failures, Lk. 22:47-48, 61 Moral failures, Lk. 22:47-48, 61 Alcohol, drugs, fornication, lying, laziness and neglect (1 Cor. 6:9-11) Alcohol, drugs, fornication, lying, laziness and neglect (1 Cor. 6:9-11) Put away the past (repent) and press onward, Phil. 3:13-14 Put away the past (repent) and press onward, Phil. 3:13-14

5 Takes Many Forms and has Many Causes Spiritual matters, Matt. 8:26 Spiritual matters, Matt. 8:26 Personal struggles of faith Personal struggles of faith Little or no growth Little or no growth Bad influences Bad influences Church problems (1 Cor. 1:11) Church problems (1 Cor. 1:11) From brethren (Deut. 1:28) From brethren (Deut. 1:28)

6 Takes Many Forms and has Many Causes Remember that others also have disappointments, Gal. 6:2 Remember that others also have disappointments, Gal. 6:2 Job (Job 2:11-13); David (Psa. 22: 1-2); Elijah (1 Kgs. 19:4); Jeremiah (Jer. 9:1-2) Job (Job 2:11-13); David (Psa. 22: 1-2); Elijah (1 Kgs. 19:4); Jeremiah (Jer. 9:1-2) Helps avoid self-pity and gives you a chance to help someone else Helps avoid self-pity and gives you a chance to help someone else

7 Jesus Overcame Discouragement With endurance, Heb. 12:1-2 With endurance, Heb. 12:1-2 He ruled his circumstances, Phil. 4:10-13 He ruled his circumstances, Phil. 4:10-13 Your reasons to endure include: Your reasons to endure include: More than conquerors, Rom.8:35-39 More than conquerors, Rom.8:35-39 Christ in you is greater, 1 John 4:4 Christ in you is greater, 1 John 4:4 He never fails you, Heb.11:32-39 He never fails you, Heb.11:32-39

8 Jesus Overcame Discouragement With an eternal perspective With an eternal perspective Look beyond the moment, John 4:35 Look beyond the moment, John 4:35 See the light (not the darkness): See the light (not the darkness): Made stronger and closer, Jas.1:2-4 Made stronger and closer, Jas.1:2-4 Purify and rejoice, 1 Pet. 1:6-9 Purify and rejoice, 1 Pet. 1:6-9 Be an instrument for God’s glory, 2 Cor. 4:14-15 Be an instrument for God’s glory, 2 Cor. 4:14-15

9 Jesus Overcame Discouragement He kept working He kept working Stay active in your faith, John 9:4 Stay active in your faith, John 9:4 Look for the open path, Acts 16:6-10 Look for the open path, Acts 16:6-10 Esther, Esther 4:14 Esther, Esther 4:14 Continue steadfast, Prov. 24:10,16 Continue steadfast, Prov. 24:10,16 Do not grow weary, Gal. 6:9-10 Do not grow weary, Gal. 6:9-10

10 Jesus Overcame Discouragement He prayed often He prayed often In nothing be anxious, Phil. 4:6-7 In nothing be anxious, Phil. 4:6-7 Jesus’ retreat, Lk. 5:15-16; 6:12-13 Jesus’ retreat, Lk. 5:15-16; 6:12-13 David’s refuge, Psa. 55:1-8, David’s refuge, Psa. 55:1-8, Cast your burden on the Lord, Psa. 55:22-23; 1 Pet. 5:6-7 Cast your burden on the Lord, Psa. 55:22-23; 1 Pet. 5:6-7

11 Jesus Overcame Discouragement He was thankful He was thankful Joy comes in the morning (Psa.30:5) John 11:41; 16:22 Joy comes in the morning (Psa.30:5) John 11:41; 16:22 God’s presence and blessings sustain us through darkness and danger, Psa. 23:4 God’s presence and blessings sustain us through darkness and danger, Psa. 23:4 Thankful in everything, 1 Ths. 5:18 Thankful in everything, 1 Ths. 5:18

12 Let not your heart be troubled John 14:1 God strengthens and saves, Psa. 31:21-24 (Heb 13:5-6) God strengthens and saves, Psa. 31:21-24 (Heb 13:5-6) The Lord bless you and keep you…and give you peace, Numbers 6:24-27 The Lord bless you and keep you…and give you peace, Numbers 6:24-27