1. Dealing with Discouragement

2.  The best of all Christians will face disappointments and discouragements  Discouragement often leads to despondency, despair, depression and dropout  But God says, “Be of good cheer…” (Mt. 14:27; Acts 23:11; 27:22,25)

3.  Job (Job 3)  Moses (Num. 11:14-15)  Elijah (1 Kings 19)  David (1 Sam. 18-30; Psalm 41-43)  Jeremiah (Jer. 20:14-18)

4.  Illness (Phil. 2:25ff; 2 Tim. 4:20)  Death (Jn. 11:14)  Material loss (Job 1-2)  Physical needs (Psa. 37:25; 84:11; Phil. 4:19)  Friends turning on you (Psa. 41:9; 2 Tim. 4:10,14ff)

5.  Changed plans (Acts 16:7ff; 1 Thess. 2:18)  Handicaps (Lk. 19:1ff; 2 Cor. 12:7ff)  Family unfaithfulness (Lk. 15:11ff)  Local church unfaithfulness (Rev. 2-3)  Surrounded by sin (Jn. 16:33; 17:14-19)

6.  Personal failures (Lk. 22:31-32)  Teaching failures (Mt. 13:15; Jn. 6:66)

7.  Turn to God (Psa. 9:9-10; Isa. 43:1-2; Heb. 13:5-6)  Seek God’s comfort (1 Sam. 30:6; Psa. 147:3)  Take the higher view (Rom. 8:18; 2 Cor. 4:17)  Pray more, worry less (Phil. 4:6; Heb. 4;16; 1 Pet. 5:7)  Count your blessings (Jas. 1:18)

8.  Get help from Christians (Isa. 35:3; Heb. 12:12-13)  Assemble with the saints (Psa. 5:6-7; Heb. 10:25)  Get out, get busy, go on (1 Kings 19:5,15ff)  Embrace the promises (1 Pet. 1:4; 2 Pet. 1:4)  Endure to the end (Mk. 4:17; Heb. 11:27; 12:2; Jas. 5:11)

9. God will not let us down, neither will he let us go, nor will he let us off