I love living life.

I am happy
• Discouragement is a common
response to the challenges of life
• Psalm 42:11
• III. Discouragement is:
• A. Universal. Almost everyone
has been dismayed at one time or
another.
• B. Recurring. You may overcome
discouragement one week, only
to face it again the next.
• C. Contagious. Watch out for
those who want to pull you down
by indulging in negativity and
self-pity.
• D. Unpredictable. You never
know when it will strike you or a
loved one.
• E. Temporary. It will pass if you
respond correctly.
 DISCOURAGEMENT DIFFERS FROM
DISAPPOINTMENT
• When our expectations • But discouragement, a
aren’t met, we feel feeling of despair and
disappointed despondency, is a
choice. We can choose
to remain dejected or
determine to work
through our feelings
and overcome them.
 CONSEQUENCES OF DISCOURAGEMENT

THE CAUSES OF
DISCOURAGEMENT
A. Inability to please • A. Divided attention—If you are discouraged,
you may not be able to work wholeheartedly.
others • B. Placing blame—When you feel down, be
B. Physical or verbal careful not to dwell on the wrongs of others.
abuse • C. Anger and depression—Unless you address
C. Unanswered prayer the inner roots of discouragement, you will never
overcome negative feelings.
D. Lack of proper • D. Estrangement—People push others away by
recognition constantly grumbling.
E. Strongholds • E. Loss of confidence—Every aspect of your life
will suffer when you feel unsure of yourself.
F. Financial pressure • F. Negative spirit—Don’t rehash painful events.
G. Health problems • G. Unwise decisions—Discouragement can cloud
H. Unexplained your judgment. By working through your feelings
adversity first, you can then make a careful, godly decision.
• H. Spiritual drift—Depression is fertile ground
I. Feelings of for seeds of doubt.
worthlessness

The Cure for
Discouragement
A. Pride. Some put their trust in
themselves and pursue
relationships, accomplishments,
or possessions instead of a
relationship with the Father.
1. Look within yourself. Ask, Why
am I discouraged?
2. Look up. God has the ability to
rescue you from harmful
attitudes.
3. Look back. Don’t dwell on
hurtful things in the past. Instead,
think about God’s faithfulness to
deliver you.
4. Look ahead. Focus on what the
Lord is doing now in your life. Be
encouraged by what He has
planned for the future.
Have the right response
• 1. Rest. Physical and emotional
exhaustion often lead to
discouragement.
• 2. Reorganize your life. In other words,
evaluate your use of time, energy, and
other resources. Make sure you’re doing
the right things in the right way.
• 3. Resolve to trust God. Believe that He
is in control (Ps. 103:19), loves you, and
will never leave you (Heb. 13:5). He can
turn adversity into something good.
• 4. Resist discouragement. Ask God to
reveal the best response to difficulty.
You will be amazed at the difference a
positive attitude makes.
Don’t give up !