(1) The Role of Faith in Defeating Discouragement

(Note:  This is the first in a seires of posts on defeating discouragment with faith)

One of the common thoughts associated with discouragement is the question, “'What's the point?" We see little progress or even failure, and we think, “What's the point of putting out the effort if we are wasting our energies?" At the heart of discouragement is a negative view of some situation we are facing and a dismal view of the future with little hope of progress or success.

The loss of hope and a negative outlook are major aspects of discouragement. And faith is the foundation of hope. So, faith plays a major role in defeating discouragement.

Discouragement is rooted in the beliefs we have regarding our challenges. Discouragement is a result of the belief that what I am dealing with is only harmful to me and blocks me from experiencing peace, happiness, and success. The belief of discouragement is that it's robbing me of my time and energy and there's no benefit in it. It shouldn't have to be this hard. No good is going to come from this.

Discouragement is a result of the belief that there is no point in trying or, even if we do try, the situation will not improve and there will not be a positive outcome. We think this will never end, no matter what I try, it just seems to continue and so, I can never have hope of peace, rest, and joy. We believe that we can't handle the situation, it’s too hard, it’s too big.

Because all these thoughts are contrary to the teaching of God's Word, discouragement is a result of the failure to believe God and His promises. At it's core, discouragement is an issue of belief. Victory over discouragement is all about faith. Look what David says in Psalm 27 about the connection between discouragement and faith in the goodness and greatness of God.

I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. 14Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.  (Psalm 27:13-14 NAU)

Look at it. “I would have despaired unless I had believed.” Believed what? “Believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord.” And what does David have to say to you and me based on his victory over discouragement? Read it again and let David’s encouragement reach your heart.

Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.

The idea of waiting here is not just the idea of inaction. It is the idea of stillness, patience, and trust. And what is to be our heart’s focus as we are still? The Lord. Wait on the Lord . . . Yahweh. Wait for the Lord . . . God of all creation . . . the one and only . . . infinite . . . almighty . . . all-wise . . . righteous . . . just . . . merciful . . .gracious . . . loving . . . perfect God. And, in this trust, you will find strength and courage. Wait . . . be still . . . in the presence of Jehovah.

(2) Faith is the Victory

(Note: This is part of a seires of posts on defeating discouragment with faith)

All through scripture, the remedy offered for discouragement is faith. Meditate and take to heart these verses. As you read them, answer the questions, “Who is my God?” “What will characterize my life when I trust God.?” In fact, why not get out a sheet of paper and list your answers to these two questions as you meditate through these verses.

O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. (Psalm 62:8 NLT)

Those who are righteous will be long remembered. 7They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them. "They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly. (Psalm 11 2:6-8 NLT)

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on vou because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock. (Isaiah 26:3-4 ESV)

"But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a river bank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.  (Jeremiah 17:7-8 NLT)

The one who trusts God and takes Him at His word will have no fear of bad news, but rather, they will be confident and fearless. Now that’s an incredible statement. No fear of bad news. Confident . . . fearless! Is that you?

The one who trusts will face foes triumphantly. This does not mean the victory is always assured, but it means we will be triumphant in faith, triumphant over fear.

We also see in these verses that there will be peace, blessing, and stability. We will not be hot and bothered when the heat is on, and not worried when everything dries up. Instead, we will continue to have a vibrant life and fruitfulness.

All this will come to us if God is our refuge. When we trust Him as the one who cares for us. When we see Him as our everlasting rock, our hope, and confidence.

Notice something very important. It is not the circumstances that change. The hope, confidence and victory over discouragement don’t come through a change in circumstances. They come from making God our confidence and hope. When we trust Him and His perfect plan, the circumstances may not change but we will still have confidence, we will still have hope because confidence and hope are not linked to the circumstances we are experiencing, they are anchored deep in our faith in the goodness and greatness of God.
 
If your faith was measured by your confidence, hope, and stbility, how would you do?  Not sure?  Not good?  Perhaps you need a fresh view of the glory of God.
 

(3) God On Trial

(Note:  This is the first post in a series on defeating discouragement with faith and a study of Isaiah 41)

The people of Israel had some serious discouragement issues. They also had major trust issues. I don’t know what kind of issues they had with trusting each other, but I know they had some serious problems when it came to trusting God. And, because of their lack of trust in God, they slipped into discouragement. We find one of these lack of trust leading to discouragement dramas played out in Isaiah 41. In verse ten, God challenges Israel to trust Him and not be discouraged.

Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

When we look at the context of this verse, we find a fascinating courtroom drama where God willingly puts Himself on trial before the Jewish people. Here’s the question to be judged: Is God really God and should He be trusted without reservation, wavering, fear, or discouragement?

Now your immediate reaction to that question may be, “Of course God is to be trusted! I don’t need to be convinced of that.” You may be tempted to think you don’t need to read this. Don’t be so quick to think you have this question solved. Oh, I’m not suggesting for one millisecond that God is not to be trusted without reservation. What I would challenge you and me on is the end of that statement. What I will say is that I don’t believe we always believe what we say we believe and that often our attitudes and actions betray our speech. We say, of course God is to be trusted without reservation. But do we? Do we trust God without reservation? . . . without wavering? . . . without fear? . . . without discouragement? Perhaps we should not be so quick to say that we actually do trust God without reservation. Perhaps we put God on trial ourselves . . . more than we’d like ot admit.

In Isaiah forty-one, God is on trial. The issue, Who is really God? The purpose of God’s self-imposed trial is to prove that Yahweh is God alone and He can be trusted . . . must be trusted. Any other option is futility and foolishness. So, let’s enter the courtroom.

"Listen in silence before me, you lands beyond the sea. Bring your strongest arguments. Come now and speak. The court is ready for your case. (Isaiah 41:1 -29 NLT)

God calls on all who wish to come to court and defend their beliefs and their gods. In order to combat Israel’s unbelief and discouragement, God is going to show proof that He alone is God. He alone is ultimately in sovereign control of the actions of man and the events of history. God will prove that He is the only sure source of hope, refuge, strength, deliverance, and joy and a proper view of our life circumstances. Are we ready to listen? . . . to hear the truth? . . . to believe? . . . to break free from discouragement?

(4) God’s Opening Statement

(Note: This post is part of a series on defeating discouragement with faith and a study of Isaiah 41)

After God invites everyone to court in Isaiah 41 to settle the issue of who is really God, He gives His opening statement. He sets the stage for the rest of the chapter where He will prove that He alone is God. He will prove that He is in sovereign control of His-story. He will prove that He can and should be trusted, no matter how bad things might seem to be.

"Who has stirred up this king from the east, rightly calling him to God's service? Who gives this man victory over many nations and permits him to trample their kings underfoot? With his sword, he reduces armies to dust. With his bow, he scatters them like chaff before the wind. 3He chases them away and goes on safely, though he is walking over unfamiliar ground. (Isaiah 41: 2-3 NLT)

God says He will raise up a king to serve Him. He explains that He will empower this king who will conquer nations like they are a joke. God is pointing forward to what He will do in the future in raising up a great king and conqueror and asks, "Who else can do this?" That question needs to be considered and answered in each of our hearts. Its corollaries are, "Who is in sovereign control?" "Who can proclaim and perform like this?" Who is really God of all creation?" These questions must be answered by each of us. Answered with dogmatic resolve and finality.

Here, God is speaking of Cyrus, king of the Medes and the Persians. A few chapters latter, God will even call him by name.

"It is I who says of Cyrus, 'He is My shepherd! And he will perform all My desire.' And he declares of Jerusalem, 'She will be built,’ And of the temple, 'Your foundation will be laid.'" (Isaiah 44:28 NAU)

This is what the LORD says to Cyrus, his anointed one, whose right hand he will empower. Before him, mighty kings will be paralyzed with fear. Their fortress gates will be opened, never to shut again. (Isaiah 45:1 NLT)

This is amazing stuff! Nearly 150 years before this man was even born, God called him by name and declared how He was going to use him for his purposes and glory. God is making a point, loud and clear. “I’m the Lord of creation, the Lord of your life, the Lord of your future.”

Let's return to our walk thru Isaiah 41.

"Who has done such mighty deeds, summoning each new generation from the beginning of time? It is I, the LORD, the First and the Last. I alone am he." (Isaiah 41:4 NLT)

Here it is again, a question we all must consider can answer. Read this verse again, slowly. Do you see what God is declaring here? He is declaring that He is God. He is declaring His power exercised in creation . . . in the lives of His people. He is declaring that He is sovereign . . . He rules . . . over every human being. From before the beginning till after the end, He is God.

All through scripture, God declares His decree and His sovereign rule over all of mankind from creation, extending into eternity. God declares the future because God decrees the future. Never forget this truth, your life is in His very capable hands. He’s got it all worked out.

You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. (Psalm 139:16 NLT)

God is God. He always has been, He always will be. He is NOW!

You may not understand your life circumstances . . . BUT GOD DOES!

You may not know how you will get through this . . . BUT GOD DOES!

It’s time for you to answer a question . . . Who is your God?

(5) When Faith is Futile

(Note: This post is part of a series on defeating discouragement with faith and a study of Isaiah 41)

You’ve heard it, perhaps even said it . . . You just gotta have more faith . . . Faith is the answer . . . Faith is the victory. And while these may express a biblical mind-set, often, they do not. Faith in and of itself is not the answer or the victory if it is misguided or misdirected faith. The answer to my discouragement is not ambiguous faith that “everything will work out in the end.” Discouragement is not defeated by misdirected faith in ourselves, our solutions, or in others. Faith is only as good as the object of faith.

We return to Isaiah 41 and God’s warning about futile faith.

The lands beyond the sea watch in fear. Remote lands tremble and mobilize for war. 6The idol makers encourage one another, saying to each other, "Be strong!" 7The carver encourages the goldsmith, and the molder helps at the anvil. "Good," they say. "It's coming along fine." Carefully they join the parts together, then fasten the thing in place so it won't fall over. (Isaiah 41:5-7)

Many times, when people face potentially discouraging circumstances in life, several things happen. First, the disturbing situation is viewed as something that must be changed immediately. Then, they turn to the simplest, most promising path to get out of the circumstances. This often means desperate brain-storming and devising of a plan of action. Sadly, this seems like the only logical and sensible thing to do for most people

But what this really amounts to is a failure to recognize the sovereign hand and rule of God in our lives and a failure to trust Him and turn to Him for perspective and wisdom. We refuse to submit to God's sovereignty and rule, and seek to find our own solutions that fit with our sensibilities.

This is what God is confronting in these verses. The ungodly manufacture idols and look to them for answers and help. Instead of turning to God in humility, and submission to His sovereignty, unbelievers seek to encourage themselves in their solutions and abilities to resist God and His rule over them. Unfortunately, many of us as believers do the same thing.

But there is no hope, stability or true encouragement in man and man’s solutions. Encouragement is only found when we submit to the sovereignty of God, trust His wisdom and plan and depend on His strength.

I don’t know too many people carving wood or molding metal to make idols. But, I have seen too many Christians frantically rack their brains and desperately run about trying to lesson the frustration, pain, or challenges that threaten to plunge them into discouragement. We will try to encourage ourselves toward confidence in our abilities and solutions. Instead of turning to God, we turn to Oprah, Dr. Phil, the government, or a host of other human solutions. We seek to build ourselves up in positive thinking. And our faith is futility.

Victory over discouragement is not found in misdirected and misguided faith. Some faith is absolutely futile. Victory over discouragement is found in faith in the God of true wisdom, power, grace, mercy, and sovereignty. Faith in God is the victory. So what are you trusting in?

(6) Standing on the Promises?

(Note: This post is part of a series on defeating discouragement with faith and a study of Isaiah 41)


"But as for you, Israel my servant, Jacob my chosen one, descended from Abraham my friend, I have called you back from the ends of the earth, saying, 'You are my servant.1 For I have chosen you and will not throw you away. Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.  (Isaiah 41:8-10)

After tearing down Israel’s false hope and misdirected faith, God points them to a trustworthy hope and a faith that flourishes. He reminds them that He has established an irrevocable covenant with Israel that they will be His people. God has promised His covenant love, presence, strength, help, and victory. There is no reason - no matter how fierce the opposition - for discouragement!

God has made these same promises to His Church . . . and more! In Christ we are promised eternal redemption (Heb. 12:5), I will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb. 13:5), nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (Rom. 8:35), everything works together for good (Rom. 8:28), we are freely given every good and perfect gift (Rom. 8:32, Jas. 1:17), sufficient grace to face and glorify God in any challenge (2 Cor. 12:9), His power at work within us (Eph. 3:20), God will cause us to stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy (Jude 1:24). And this is just a sampling of God’s promises to His children.

Now that’s something to believe. This is a trustworthy hope and a reliable focus for your faith, and sure victory over discouragement. If we truly take God at His Word, we would have no fear, no worry, no anxiety, and no discouragement.

God says, “Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” So what does it mean when I am discouraged? It means I am not believing God.

But there’s more to it than that. To understand the depth of this, let’s consider a question. What is stealing? Well, stealing is taking something that does not belong to you. And stealing is a sin. Why? Because God commanded us, “Do not steal.”

So, what is discouragement when God commands us, “Do not be discouraged?” Let’s be consistent here no matter how much it hurts to admit it. Discouragement is sin.

Discouragement is an insult and dishonoring of the character of God, the faithfulness of God and the promises of God. Because we are commanded not to be discouraged, discouragement must be seen as a sin. At its core, discouragement is the sin of unbelief.

Never again can we take discouragement lightly as just something we all face, no big deal. We must call it what it is, what God calls it – sin. We must recognize and confess our unbelief, our failure to believe the promises of God. Confess, and choose to believe God, not what your circumstances and mind are telling you.

(7) Future Victory

(Note: This post is part of a series on defeating discouragement with faith and a study of Isaiah 41)

"See, all your angry enemies lie there, confused and humiliated. Anyone who opposes you will die and come to nothing. You will look in vain for those who tried to conquer you. Those who attack you will come to nothing. For I hold you by your right hand- I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, 'Don't be afraid. I am here to help you.  (Isaiah 41:11-13)

God points to the future-when He would bring victory over Israel’s enemies through Cyrus. The nation would see victory. But many would die without seeing that victory in person on earth.

We may not see complete victory over our "enemies" in this lifetime. Evil will continue until the end of time. So great will be this victory that we will look around and find all our “enemies,” all those who tried to hurt us will be nowhere to be found.

Look what God says. “I hold you by your right hand- I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, 'Don't be afraid. I am here to help you.” Are you afraid? Why? Have you forgotten who your God is?

God's righteousness will ultimately be vindicated and all evil banished from His eternal kingdom. And it will be clear that it is God’s victory not ours. No matter how dismal things may appear now, the future for God’s people is bright and glorious. No matter how low and weak we may be, God will bring victory in the end.

Though you are a lowly worm, O Jacob, don't be afraid, people of Israel, for I will help you. I am the LORD your Redeemer. I am the Holy One of Israel.' You will be a new threshing instrument with many sharp teeth. You will tear your enemies apart, making chaff of mountains. You will toss them into the air, and the wind will blow them all away; a whirlwind will scatter them. Then you will rejoice in the LORD. You will glory in the Holy One of Israel.  (Isaiah 41:14-16)

We may be the lowest of the low, the weakest of the weak, but that’s O.K., we don’t need to be afraid because the Lord of creation is our help, our redeemer.

Courage, motivation, strength and hope are not found in us. We cannot face discouragement by trying to be strong and find solutions on our own. We are nothing and have nothing except by God's grace. But through His grace we have hope, we have strength, we have victory. We can face the greatest challenge with hope, confidence and courage! Who is your God? Do you believe Him?