Discouragement Is Discouraging! What's The Answer?

"In spite of everything I shall rise again: I will take up my pencil, which I have forsaken in my great discouragement, and I will go on with my drawing." —Vincent Van Gogh

NO COURAGE!

For starters, let me see if I can break down the extremely difficult task of defining ‘discouragement’. Make sure you’re paying attention, because this is Einstein stuff here. ‘Dis’ means without. So, essentially, dis-couragement is the absence or lack of courage. Being without courage. Boom! I know, that was a major revelation for a lot of you. All joking aside though, that’s really what it boils down to.

Let me be fair by actually defining it. Reason being is that we get a much better grasp of what we’re dealing with if we know how to ‘pin it’ down. This is the way that The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition defines it:

• To deprive of confidence, hope, or spirit, or;
• To dissuade or deter (someone) from doing something, or;
• To try to prevent by expressing disapproval or raising objections.

There you go. Now that we’re all on the same page, I say we move on.

One of the subjects I often find rarely talked about within the body of Christ is that of discouragement. Yet, it’s probably the most prevalent issue that most within—and without—the church experience and deal with. I’ve often asked myself, since that’s the case, shouldn’t we hear more about this debilitating issue from America’s pulpits and what scripture has to say about it? Why do we experience discouragement? How does it affect us in our walk with the Lord? Do Pastors and teachers experience it? Is it part of Spiritual Warfare? Are those in ministry somehow immune to discouragment? Who’s behind it? And, how can we overcome discouragement?

These are just a sample of some of the questions I’ve asked myself more and more— especially throughout 2024—in light of having experienced what I felt was an insurmountable amount of discouragement. And the one main question that always seems to prevail is: why? Though that may sound appropriate, when I look back at it, maybe the better question should have been: what?

THOUGH DISCOURAGMENT IS SUCKY, HE’S AT WORK!

Let me back up a little bit and share the reason why I’ve experienced so much discouragment this past year—especially these past few months. Let’s just say that He had to shape and mold this very fallible ‘earthen vessel’ as He saw fit so as to be an effective vessel for Him. But the Lord will and must refine those whom are made availble to serve Him!

Think about it, fine artists, potters, sculptors, illustrators, designers—artists in general—have one thing in common, and that is that they can see the end product before they start. Me, well, not so much. But that’s neither here nor there. An artist will take a blank canvas, a lump of clay or a rock and begin his or her work as a means to eventually showcase or unveil (apokalupsis…sound familiar?) their masterpiece. The artist doesn’t just showcase their lump of clay or blank canvas as the end product. No, they refine it, they knead it over and over until it’s just right. For example, the potter will even fire their creation in the kiln, so as to bake the clay and glaze that it might be used in its end form—think mug. That’s exactly what the Lord does with each of us. And, I’ll admit, I can’t say that I necessarily like the process, though its a must. That process can often times give way to discouragment. Why? Becasue we don’t see the end product. But He does! Look at what the prophet Isaiah said in 64:8:

“But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.” (NKJV)

We are His workmanship! We may not be able to always see what He’s doing in our lives, or the life of a loved one, or in a specific situation, but He sees the end from the begining (Isaiah 46:10) and is in complete control at all times.

The prophet summed it up beautifully in Isaiah 6:8 when he said:

“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” (NKJV)

Answering that call is the start. But the process of refinement to be made that vessel as He sees fit can take quite some time! I guess the Lord felt there was much “fat” that needed to be trimmed off of me (spiritually speaking), and so He got to work. God definitely has His ways of doing things that don’t always make sense to us. But, as we read the Lord’s Words in Isaiah 55:8-9 that say:

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” (NKJV)

The process is never fun. It’s not glorious. It’s usually very uncomfortable and emotionally draining. But, He’s always right. He knows what needs to get done. And the process never ends. We are constant works in progress!

CHECK ENGINE

In 2021, when the S&D® YT channel started doing well, I got encouraged thinking to myself: “I finally turned the proverbial corner and things were looking good.” The subs started coming in, as well as did the support for the ministry. Connections were being made and doors seemed to be opening. But again, God will more often than not, take a step back to see where His creation needs to be reworked and refined so as to be conformed more into His image. Thus in mid 2023, the Lord started the work refinement: closing doors, draining subs, removing support, etc. It didn’t happen overnight. It was gradual. I didn’t get it, acutally, I didn’t want to get it. It’s at a bare minimum. Paper thin. Thin ice. You get the point.

Psalm 139:23-24 (NKJV) says: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.” That’s exactly what the Lord did. He began “searching” my heart. Not becasue He didn’t already know what the motives where, but, becasue I needed to see them for myself. He needed to reveal them. Let me try and illustrate.

When my car needs an oil change, or, any maintenance whatsoever, I get the proverbial “check engine” light that turns on. It’s what we call an ‘indicator’ light. Well, the Lord decided to turn my indicator light on as a means to “warn” me that my focus—which should first and foremost be on Him—was begining to shift to numbers, growth, producing, editing, uploading—feeding the machine.

In my case, the Lord began to strip me of the things that were hindering me from hearing the Spirit and staying laser focused on the task at hand. The Lord was refining and refocusing my attention and efforts on Him and His leading via His Spirit. I didn’t understand what in the world was going on. To be quite honest, it was one of the most frustrating and discouraging moments I ever had. I felt as if all the ‘efforts’ and hard work I had poured into the thing called ministry were futile. See, God doesn’t measure success the same way we do. My expectations of what I thought should happen didn’t end up happening. And so, what ensued was a year-plus long battle with very serious discouragement.

When we experience defeat (in whatever area of life), we can—and most often do—lose courage to continue with the task at hand. We become dis-couraged. Discouragement can have a nasty progression. If we don’t come to our heavenly Father right away with it, we can easily allow the enemy to take us on a wild rollercoaster ride of emotions ranging from frustration, worthlessness, irritability, sadness, lack of motivation, and even depression. It’s vicious. It can feel unrelenting at times. And, it drains us of our energies, all the while stripping us of our focus, efforts and strength. The enemy will beat you down any chance he gets!

SURRENDER

Though this past year+ has been extremely challening in multiple ways, I’ve come to a place of surrender to the Lord. A place wherein I’ve learned that this is not mine, it’s His. I am His mouthpiece and instrument. It’s tempting and easy to compare ourselves with other “successful” (quotes used on purpose) ministries and want or desire to be like them. BIG MISTAKE! Praise God for His intervention! Comparison is a horrible slavemaster. I read a quote by Ryan Clements, a lawyer turned marketing pro, and this is what he said:

¹A sure fire, 100% guaranteed way to get discouraged is to focus on other people in a comparative way. Here is why: we generally see their victories, successes, and strengths. We see what they have and what we don’t. We see why they are better than us. When we do this we get discouraged and we feel sorry for ourselves. We don’t as easily see their struggles, their fears, their setbacks, and their failures. So don’t do it.

Well, I did and it took the Lord over a year+ to get through my thick skull. After all, I’m Italian, it’s in my DNA. Or maybe that’s just a human sinful thing. Isn’t it just crazy how we so often become our own worst enemies? But God is rich in mercy, grace and compassion towards us. I love what Psalm 107:1 says:

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy (goodness, lovingkindness) endures forever.” (NKJV)

WHAT NOW?

Let me land the plane already. I’m hoping that my latest degree from the School Of Hard Knocks will serve each of you as an example of how discouragment, no matter the why or how, can and does affect our ability to effect others for Christ. Satan will use discouragement in the life of the believer as a means to render us inneffective for Jesus. It’s an easy downward spiral. Sometimes it’s by our own doing, and other times it’s due to life’s often times difficult and challenging circumstances. Either way, know that Jesus is always there for us!

Once again, the refining process that comes from the Potters’ hand can be very uncomfortable at times. It can feel as if there’s no end in sight to it. As if we are constantly being ‘thrown’ on the Potters’ wheel and baked over and over again. But know this, the artist will finish what He started. Here are two verses that most of us know, yet have a tendency of forgetting when times of discouragment come (I know I do). Philippians 1:6 says:

“being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;” (NKJV)

And, Hebrews 13:5b it says:

“For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”” (NKJV)

How’s that for encouragment? The Lord will NEVER leave us. He’s always there for us no matter what. Take for example the book of Isaiah. He was the preacher/prophet of Judah.

²He witnessed the Northern kingdom of Israel go into captivity at the hands of Assyria. He then turned his attention to Judah to warn them of impending judgment by the Babylonians. And though the first 39 chapters of the book of Isaiah have hope filled passages in them, they also are filled with warnings. Yet in all of this, we see some of the most encouraging and comforting passages to those future exiles found in Isaiah 40-66.

The Word of God is chalk-full of encouragment from cover to cover. We see the Artist at work all throughout. Each of us are His masterpiece. Each of us are His unique creations. Each of us were created with and for a purpose. It’s easy to take our eyes of Jesus when things are going good. It’s easy to say to the Lord: “I’ve got this one Lord.” But woe to us for such poor foresight! Discouragment is lurking around the corner just waiting for us to take our eyes off of our Savior Jesus and lean on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). Take it from me, it’s not worth it!

All of us will experience discouragment to one degree or another at different stages in life, but, remember as I said earlier that Jesus is there for us every step of the way. He is the One whom we need to be looking to and relying on. Are you looking for strength? Do you need a Word of encouragment? Than look no further than to Isaiah 40:31:

“But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” (NKJV)

The prophets of old didn’t speak their own words. No, they spoke the words of the Lord. That’s what made them effective witnesses! May we chose to speak His words, obey His calling, and become effective tools in the hand of the Master! Want to be encouraged, surrender all to Him! Isaiah 26:3 says:

“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.”

Be encouraged with the beautiful words from the old hymn “There Is A Balm In Gilead” that says:

There is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole;
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin-sick soul.

1. Sometimes I feel discouraged,
And think my work's in vain,
But then the Holy Spirit
Revives my soul again.

2. If you can't preach like Peter,
If you can't pray like Paul,
Just tell the love of Jesus,
And say He died for all.

😁Have A Nice Day!👍🏻

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1. Clements, Ryan. “12 Things To Do When You’re Feeling Discouraged.” LifeHack, 11 Janaury 2025, https://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/12-things-when-get-discouraged.html.

2. Jeremiah, David. Understanding The 66 Books Of The Bible. pp105-106. Turning Point, 2015.