What to Do When You Feel Discouraged
A practical Christian study of “What to Do When You Feel Discouraged,” with clear application for faith, relationships, and everyday life.
"I Am Discouraged"
Play the original Excel Still More episode here without leaving the article.
Name the struggle
And when you add to all of that, a tense and contested election, as well as racial issues and unnecessary violence, there are a lot of things that have gotten people down, and God's people apparently have not been impervious to that. Maybe you can add to this list from your own life or what you have heard, but see if any of this rings a bell for you.
People say things like, I am discouraged by politicians, their immorality or their policies.
Understand what feeds it
And then he said in Philippians chapter 4, verses 8 and 9, to dwell on, to set your mind on things that are true and honorable and right and pure and lovely and of good reputation, things that are excellent, things that are worthy of praise. And if I can just open up to you about this, there have been plenty of occasions in the last 12 months or 12 years when I have dwelt on negative things like Satan and sin or the negative side of things like family members and the church.
And while it's okay to think through those things to try to find a way to fix them, that is not a lot of what we see posted to Facebook or spoken from one brother in Christ to another.
Choose a steadier response
It was about that time two years ago that I started developing the Excel Still More journal, which required that every single day, seven days a week, I fill in a section called Level Three Gratitude, which started with just writing down something I'm thankful for, put aside every concern, and write down one thing that is great in my life. Level two in that paragraph is where I would address God in prayer and thank him for it and talk about the ways that he has worked in my life to make it possible.
And then level three is a sentence at the end of that section where I write down something that I'm willing to say or do today just to demonstrate to God how truly thankful I am.
Move forward with hope
Count the blessings from others and in the lives of others, and consider their needs and how you can service them, and then yourself, Jesus, others, and then yourself, your needs and concerns, but not first, and not in and of themselves, but a part of something greater. So here is a surefire strategy to overcome any kind of discouragement, count the blessings in your life, change the pronouns away from self-centeredness, consider Jesus, consider others, and then yourself.
This will certainly help you turn everything around the next time you're tempted to say, I am discouraged.
Take the idea with you.
- 01Where do I see the problem or opportunity described in “What to Do When You Feel Discouraged” in my own life?
- 02What Scripture or spiritual principle in this study most needs my attention?
- 03What one specific change can I make this week to put this teaching into practice?
Prefer listening?
The original episode player is available near the top of this article, so you can listen without leaving the page.