When You Are Discouraged
Moments of discouragement come to everyone. They are a part of life. And although not always desired, they are certainly to be expected. Emerson Fosdick said, “One who expects
completely to escape low moods is asking the impossible.”1 And so our challenge is not to live a life free of discouragement, but to know we can overcome it.
If there is an antidote for discouragement, it may be the word’s antonym, encouragement – both from others and from ourselves. One-way self-encouragement can come is by recalling other difficulties we faced, remembering that we overcome them through faith and hard work-a step at a time.
Perhaps our greatest source of encouragement in fighting adversity comes from our Lord and Savior. Not only can we turn to Him for comfort and guidance, but we can also gain strength by remembering what He has already done for us. As J. Oatman said in verse: “When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings; name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord has done … “2 If counting our blessings helps us overcome discouragement it is because by doing so we realize we have had success and therein we find self-encouragement.
We should also remember those around us and their need for encouragement from us. We are seldom aware of the problems or pressures others face. Longfellow said, “Every man has his secret sorrows which the world knows not; and often-times we call a man cold when he is only sad.”3 Someone else’s need for encouragement from us might be greater than we will ever know. Appreciative understanding and a sincere word of praise to others can be a great source of strength and comfort.
But the greatest comfort of all is to know that the Savior is willing and waiting to help. No matter how big our problem or how deep our despair, we can overcome discouragement if we will “cast [our] burden upon the Lord.”4
1Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick, On Being a Real Person: Mastering Depression
2Rev. J. Oatman, Jr., “Count Your Blessings”
3Henry W. Longfellow, Hyperion, lll
4From the hymn, “Cast Thy Burden Upon the Lord,” Music by Felix Mendelssohn
October 29, 1972
Broadcast Number ,249