Dearly Beloved,
The human soul experiences discouragement and depression as a part of human frailty and it takes spiritual growth and renewal of the soul to be immune to such emotions by being spiritual filled with courage from the Lord Jesus. There are many varied reasons why discouragement comes and some examples are:
- Physical and emotional exhaustion – The people of Israel had gone through several rebellions, seen a lot of death, were cursed to remain in the wilderness for forty years and their physical wanderings exhausted them; their soul became discouraged (Numbers 21:4).
- Seeing others settled while your life is unsettled – Moses spoke to the tribe of Gad and Reuben who wanted to settle in the East side of the Jordan that they do not discourage their brethren from continuing on (Numbers 32:7). The solution was found in the tribes who settled sending their armies to fight alongside and help the other tribes settle in the West of the Jordan (Numbers 32:16-33).
- Experiencing the loss of loved ones and also material loss – David’s men were at their lowest point in Ziklag when they returned from battle and found all their families captured and their homes burnt to the ground, they cried until they had no more strength to cry (1 Samuel 30:1-6). They even talk of stoning David for they were grieved for their sons and daughters.
- Being opposed, ridiculed and tormented by the enemy – For forty days and nights, Goliath ridiculed and cursed the Israelites every morning and every evening (1 Samuel 17:4-16). The people became filled with fear and were broken and discouraged (1 Samuel 17:10). When Ezra gathered the people to rebuild Jerusalem, the enemies of Israel in the land sought to cause trouble, hired counsellors and frustrate their purposes in order to discourage them from continuing (Ezra 4:4).
- Big shoes to fill – Taking over from Moses was not easy for he has accomplished much; so Joshua was continually reminded by God and the people of God to be of good courage (Joshua 1:6-7, 9, 18). When one has lived in the shadow of a person of great accomplishments, and is suppose to takeover the leadership, it can be a daunting and challenging task. Even Elisha knew that it would take some time to gain the respect of the school of prophets (2 Kings 2:14-18).
- Overwhelmed with sorrow – Jesus on the last night before He was betrayed and crucified, spoke of peace, love, joy and being of good courage, knowing what His disciples were feeling and also going to be tested (John 16:33). The disciples were overwhelmed with sorrow at His parting words plus Jesus knew that they will experience sorrow at His crucifixion especially if they don’t have faith in His resurrection (John 16:20-22).
There are many more reasons why discouragement and depression can come on human souls and it is important that one should not make any major decision that changes one’s destiny in a time of discouragement, depression, sorrow or anger. Good decisions should be made when the mind is clear, the emotions are calm and the spirit is prayed through into the presence of God, sometimes with fasting, prayers and worship. For those who have yet to find God to be their solace and comfort for all their discouragement, because of the invisibility of God to them, perhaps they should seek and spend time with a trusted friend or brethren who can provide a loving, peaceful atmosphere for them to recover and get back their courage to continue living life to the fullest boldly.
The cure for discouragement is based on understanding the true hidden causes of such discouragements and depression. Some of them are as follows:
- Have a fresh vision and dream – the inability to see the fulfilment of a vision and dream can cause discouragement. Without a vision, the people perish (Proverb 19:18 KJV). This should be understandable, for example, how can a car move forward if you can’t see what is in front? No one can move forward in life if they can’t see what is ahead. We humans are made to follow visions and dreams. The most important thing is to make sure that the vision and dream is from God and part of God’s destiny in our life. That is why God gave His Holy Spirit who pours forth dreams and visions into our lives (Acts 2:17). If you are discouraged or depressed, your dream or vision might have just been shattered or taken away. It is time to recuperate and have a new vision and dream imparted by God, in His presence.
- Let God hold your hand through mountains and valleys – Life will always have its mountains and valleys. Thankfully, God has promised that as we hold the Shepherd’s hand, there will be green pastures and still waters even though we go through the valley of the shadow of death (with His hand holding us) (Psalm 23). If we persevere, there will always be goodness and mercy and a table spread for us. The secret to going through a difficult terrain or a monotonous path is to just take one day at a time. Jesus said that we should live one day at a time for each day’s evil (or battles) is sufficient for the day (Matthew 6:34). Even you win your battles one day at a time, you will win the war.
- Know that you are never alone – Even though physically we seem to be alone in this life, we are always surrounded by angels (especially our guardian angels assigned to be with us throughout our lives on earth) plus Jesus promised to be with us until the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). Angels are assigned to every child born on earth and they continue to minister to us even unto our adult lives (Matthew 18:10; Acts 12:15; 27:23). Draw encouragement from the Spiritual dimension for God is a Spirit and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24).
- Have a new mental and emotional outlook in life – There is a choice between being a pessimist or an optimist in this life. Many pessimists think that it is better to be so for they are prepared for the hard knocks and difficulties of life. Yes, there are optimists who have no idea how to face the hard, cruel realities of life. But we must consider that God actual has a positive outlook on everything that is why He is always full of joy. Similarly, the angels can see the true reality and outcome that in God all things will be fulfilled and have a positive ending. Yes, there are hard times in life like what Naomi suffered together with Ruth (Ruth 2:3-22). Naomi herself said that her life is hard and bitter, but it was only chapter two of their lives. Chapter four ends with great joy and celebration for the child of Boaz and Ruth became the grandfather of David (Ruth 4:22). The sorrows of Israel under Pharaoh birth forth the victories of Israel under Moses, such that they cross the Red Sea singing praises to God (Exodus 1:11-14; 15:1-20). Our habits of thinking and approach to life can be changed and renewed by thinking like Jesus, having the mind of Christ (Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 2:16; Philippians 2:5). At first it might be difficult as the fallen mind defaults to negative thinking but through time a new habit of thought arises, as all the old strongholds are broken, and we view the world with new mind-emotion glasses provided by the Lord Jesus.
At the end of the day, we are all to conform to Jesus in our spirit, soul and body (Romans 8:29-30). Did you know that Jesus was never every discouraged for even a nano second? It is prophesied by Isaiah that our Lord Jesus will not fail nor be discouraged (Isaiah 42:4). Jesus had a victorious mind-set and that same mind-set has been given to us in Christ Jesus. A negative mind, a depressed mind, a depressed soul, a discouraged mind is a type of soul sickness that we must recognized. Just as there are sicknesses of the body, there are sicknesses of the soul and mind. We must realize that it is NOT normal to be sick, neither mentally nor physically. It should NOT be normal to be discouraged or depressed. Our norm should be being filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, making melody in our hearts to the Lord (Ephesians 5:18-20).
The secrets to staying positive, filled with good courage and boldness from the Lord is to always give all of our lives in perfect surrender to God and never take it back. Perfect surrender, perfect submission brings perfect peace. Having surrendered to God 100%, we then allow Jesus to live through us and in us. How do you think the apostle Paul overcome persecutions and tribulations such that he was beaten three times with rods, whipped thirty-nine times five times, suffered shipwreck, hunger, thirst, oppositions every where he went? Paul declared that it is no longer he who lives but Christ lives in him, and the life he now lives, he lives through Christ who gave Himself for him (Galatians 2:20). Against all manner of setbacks and opposition, he triumphed through Christ who strengthens him. He recognized that it is truly not him living anymore but it was the grace of God that helped him became everything that he was supposed to become (1 Corinthians 15:10). Acknowledging that we are nothing and that we can do nothing without Christ is the first step to eradicate discouragement and depression from our lives (John 15:5). From then onwards, all our lives are Christ living in us, and our consciousness is only that of daily surrender and welcoming (praising) Christ into our lives.
By doing so, we become as Christ is, Lion of Judah, Bright and Morning Star, All-conquering King, seated at the Right Hand of God. Hallelujah, all the courage of Christ is within us, all His peace, love and joy, all His energy and abundant life flows within our spirit, soul and body. Without Him we can do nothing but with Him in us, nothing shall be impossible to us. Amen.