4 Ways to help defeat discouragement

Some things that we can do to send discouragement packing doesn’t have anything to do with getting things – it has everything to do with getting rid of things:

· One, since misery loves company, we need to quit hanging around people who discourage us from doing or thinking right (think along the lines of Galatians 5:7 or 1 Corinthians 15:33 when it comes to the ability of others to influence us negatively) – if people can’t talk right or be anything but a downer towards you, then don’t talk to them.

· Two, as best as possible, forget the critics and remember the encouragers of life (there will always be more critics than encouragers).

· Three, don’t dwell on the past – if the past helps, good; if the past hinders let it go (read Philippians 3:13 or think about the 2nd stanza of the song “Higher Ground”).

· Four, get rid of the idea that says everything is supposed to be fine all the time and that problems are signs of weakness (that type of reality isn’t the reality of this dead and dying world – Job 14:1).

“looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.” (Hebrews 12:2-3)