An Encouraged Heart: Overcoming Disappointment, Discouragement, and Despair

"Do not lose heart or be afraid."
Jeremiah 51:46 (NIV)

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Author John Maxwell once defined the word encouragement as "oxygen to the soul." Honestly, I can't think of a better description for encouragement. Most of us have experienced some disappointment, discouragement, or despair over the last seven months of the Covid pandemic, social unrest, economic uncertainty, natural disasters, and divisive political discourse. All of us will certainly encounter them at some point in our life.

We are, however, never defined by our circumstances, relationships, or behavior. We are always defined by our heart. Dr. Henry Brandt nailed it when he wrote, "The heart of the problem is the problem of the heart!" Apart from God's grace, the following three statements are true for each of our hearts:

  • Self is my center.

  • Personal need is my focus.

  • Personal happiness is my goal.

Paul David Tripp, writing in his wonderful book Instruments in the Hands of the Redeemer, says that there is always a war for control raging in our hearts. At the center of the war are our desires, many of which are God-given. Desire, in and of itself is not evil, but desires usually grow. When desires grow, it's usually a downward spiral of destruction, conflict, and broken relationships that can be traced as follows:

Desire (I want) that leads to

Demand (I must) - Demand is a closed fist over a desire

Need (I will) produces

Expectations (You should) and leads quickly to

Disappointment (You didn't) leads to

Punishment (Because you didn't, I will) that results in

Conflict and broken relationships


Conflict and broken relationships- both horizontal with men and vertical with God- usually lead to disappointment, discouragement, and despair. Elijah's experience in 1 Kings 19 shows us five triggers to discouragement: fear, fatigue, failure, frustration, and loss of focus. But God never leaves us on our own and has given us His Word and Spirit as antidotes to discouragement and despair. We need to:

  • Choose faith, not fear & move forward

  • Avoid running on fumes - make sure our physical, emotional, & spiritual needs are met

  • Maintain a fixed focus on Christ- what's in your foreground?

  • Follow Jesus' example - pray, put the Word to work, and give thanks

  • Feast on His Word and be filled with His Spirit

  • Fight for joy

  • Stand firm

  • Finish faithfully

All good football coaches will tell you that the best defense is a good offense. That principle is also true when it comes to overcoming disappointment, discouragement, and despair.  Paul David Tripp writes again, "Holding onto God's grace and glory is the only way to deal with the disappointment and loss that is such a part of life.

"Do not lose heart" is both a command from God and a choice we can make. Jesus’ words spoken to his disciples just before his own arrest and crucifixion are as true today as they were 2000 years ago, “Take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Wherever we are today, may we each take heart, choose faith over fear, and be encouraged.

“Do not lose heart.” Jeremiah 51:46
Amen and Amen,
Donna


 

encouragementDonna Evansdiscouragement, heart, Christian living