Discouragement is something that we all face in our Christian life. It is an “enemy” that can slow our progress and steal our peace, hope and joy. It is also an enemy that we can overcome if we understand and do what’s written in God’s word. There are Bible verses that can help us overcome discouragement – we just need to believe in them!
Imagine there is a soldier that is called up to fight and as he is getting ready, thoughts of doubt, fear, and uncertainty come to him. “I’m not a good enough soldier. I don’t have what it takes. I’m defeated before, so this could end badly. No one really cares about me. The outcome doesn’t really matter. The sacrifice is too great. The enemies too many. The army too strong.”
It could go two ways:
The soldier keeps thinking these things. His confidence begins to disappear. “I’m not good enough,” he agrees. “This won’t end well for me,” he believes. “The battle will surely fail.” He doesn’t bother to pick up his weapons. Doubt and fear paralyse him. He doesn’t have the courage or strength to start fighting.
or
The soldier has prepared for this; he knows what to do. He picks up his sword (Ephesians 6:17). “I have a good Captain, whom I trust. He looks out for me and will help me through this battle.” He picks up his shield (Ephesians 6:16). “My Captain has already defeated this very same enemy, and I can too. The battle is very important; the reward is great. It will succeed for me!”
Bible verses for overcoming discouragement - the weapons you need to fight it
It takes effort, determination, and courage to overcome discouragement. Be a good soldier and only believe the voice of hope. Be brave! Be strong! Put your confidence in Jesus, our overcoming Captain who has overcome in all things and now shows us how to overcome too!
Prepare yourself with these weapons in God’s Word which are full of truth and faith.
Are your past sins burdening you?
When you sincerely ask for forgiveness, God throws your sin in the depth of the ocean, as these Bible verses show. If God has thrown them away, you can too!
Micah 7:19 (NLT): “Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!”
1 John 1:9 (CEB): “But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from everything we’ve done wrong.”
Philippians 3:13 (NLT): “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.”
Have you fallen in sin?
Repent, be of good courage and keep trying to do the good. Don’t give in to doubt and Satan’s accusations that it won’t succeed for you. Jesus never gives up on us, and He prays for us to the Father who loves us perfectly. These Bible verses prove that:
Proverbs 24:16 (CEB): “The righteous may fall seven times but still get up, but the wicked will stumble into trouble.”
1 John 2:1 (NLT): “My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.”
Romans 8:33-34 (GNT): “Who will accuse God's chosen people? God himself declares them not guilty! Who, then, will condemn them? Not Christ Jesus, who died, or rather, who was raised to life and is at the right side of God, pleading with him for us!”
1 Peter 2:20 (NCV): “If you are beaten for doing wrong, there is no reason to praise you for being patient in your punishment. But if you suffer for doing good, and you are patient, then God is pleased.”
James 4:7 (NCV): “So give yourselves completely to God. Stand against the devil, and the devil will run from you.”
Whom do you believe?
Satan comes with discouraging, accusing, negative thoughts to steal, kill and destroy your hope and faith. God comes with encouragement, help, comfort, faith and hope.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NCV): “’I say this because I know what I am planning for you,’ says the Lord. ‘I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.’”
2 Timothy 1:7 (CSB): “For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.”
Does the way seem too hard and progress too slow?
Don’t give up! You need faith and patience to come to an overcoming life. When you’re tempted to discouragement, let these Bible verses encourage you!
Hebrews 10:23 (GNT): “Let us hold on firmly to the hope we profess, because we can trust God to keep his promise.”
2 Timothy 2:3: “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”
Hebrews 10:35-36 (NLT): “So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.”
Hebrews 12:3 (GNT): “Think of what He went through; how He put up with so much hatred from sinners! So do not let yourselves become discouraged and give up.”
Are you listening to, watching or reading things that make you lose hope?
Ephesians 5:11 (NCV): “Have nothing to do with the things done in darkness, which are not worth anything. But show that they are wrong.”
Jeremiah 2:13 (NCV): “My people have done two evils: They have turned away from me, the spring of living water. And they have dug their own wells, which are broken wells that cannot hold water.”
Are you taking time to strengthen your faith?
Ephesians 6:13 (NLT): “Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.”
Romans 10:17: “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Jude 1:20 (NLT): “But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Hebrews 12:12: “Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees.”
Have you experienced God’s correction?
God cares for you and He wants to save you from sin and give you more of His glorious fruit of the Spirit. The fact that He corrects you shows that He loves you!
Hebrews 12:5 (NLT): “My child, don’t make light of the LORD’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”
1 Peter 5:6-7 (GNT): “Humble yourselves, then, under God's mighty hand, so that he will lift you up in his own good time. Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.”
Are negative feelings making things dark and unclear?
Our emotions can be unstable, but God’s word is like a true rock. Your spirit can rise above discouragement, even when your feelings are low.
Psalm 61:2 (NLT): “I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety.”
1 John 3:20 (NLT): “Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything.”
Isaiah 40:31 (CEV): “But those who trust the LORD will find new strength. They will be strong like eagles soaring upward on wings; they will walk and run without getting tired.”
