We have all faced discouragement. Feelings of being overwhelmed with no light at the end of the tunnel. Frustration that our situations won’t change or disappointment in the actions/words of those we trust or depend on. Discouragement has been called the disease that is unique to humanity – eventually everyone gets it.
While there are many causes for discouragement – fatigue, fear, failure, or frustration (look all “f’s”) – solutions to climb out that pit of discouragement or try to avoid it are hard to come by. And when you are discouraged, the last thing you want to do, is to endure and persevere through it. Most of the time we want to just quit.
While common solutions would be getting rest or a reorganization of life and priorities, the Bible points us to a dependable solution that will give us hope through discouragement and keep us away from it:
It is FOCUS.
When we face discouragement, we need to focus.
Focus on what? Focus on the goal. The goal is not a what, but a who. Who is that goal? Christ.
Hebrews 12:2-3
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
When everything fails and disappoints us creating discouragement, we must think about Christ.
Think about the hope he brings.
Think about the love he shares.
Think about the price he paid.
Think about the promise he gives to them who pursue him.
Hebrews 11:6
6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
To fight discouragement with focus you must decide ahead of time what you will focus on. Write down the things that God has done for you. Put God’s promises in places where you can easily find them to recall.
What are some ways you fight discouragement?
How do you focus on Christ when discouragement arrives at your door?
How do you overcome discouragement at work? What becomes your goal?
How do you focus on the goal when discouragement enters your relationships?
I’d love to hear by having you comment to this post.