Why Discouragement (Part 1)

With everything that is going on in our world, the odds of you being discouraged are pretty high. Between the things that are beyond our control like the economy, politics, healthcare, terrorism, world problems, etc. and the ones that are a little closer to home like family issues, sickness, bills, etc. there is a good chance you will find yourself on the receiving end of some "discouraging" news. We often associate discouragement with disappointment, but disappointment and discouragement are not the same thing.  Disappointment is an emotional response to a failed expectation whereas discouragement is becoming fainthearted to the point of wanting to give up and quit. Discouragement develops when we allow disappointments to continue "unresolved."  In this post I want to share with you how disappointment and discouragement differ and in the following post what are the causes and how to avoid discouragement.

Disappointment

There are two characteristics that are always a part of disappointment.  The first is, disappointments are "inevitable."  As you live your life, you will encounter disappointments.  I don't care if it's the disappointment of not getting a raise, or being disappointed because you didn't make an "A" on your test.  Life is full of disappointments because they are inevitable.  The second characteristic of disappointments is that they are "unpredictable." You never know when a disappointment will occur. Everything could be going just great in your life and then you find out your son got a speeding ticket on his way to school. Disappointments are inevitable and unpredictable and can lead to discouragement when left "unresolved."

Discouragement

There are five characteristics that help distinguish between disappointment and discouragement.

• Discouragement is a "choice."  You make the choice whether or not you will embrace discouragement.  Don't live in self pity, but rather live in the life of fulfillment that God has given you.
• Discouragement is "reoccurring."  You have to know that there will always be events that will threaten you with discouragement.  That is just the nature of life in this world.  Jesus said: "...In this world you will have tribulation.  But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)  
• Discouragement is "contagious."  Not only do you have to be careful what you say because you can spread discouragement to others, you have to be careful what you listen to because others can spread discouragement to you!
• Discouragement is very "destructive."  Discouragement can put you into a deep depression. It will cloud your thinking and your ability to make clear decisions.  
• Discouragement is "conquerable."  It's conquerable if you want to.  If you don't have a desire to overcome and conquer discouragement you will remain in your self pity and depression.  But praise God, there is hope when we put our trust and dependence in the Lord!  (More on this in my next post.)

Next week I will cover the causes of discouragement, the consequences of discouragement and how to avoid it.  Until then, you can begin today on the road to victory over discouragement by recognizing the difference between disappointment and discouragement and ask God to help you overcome.

-- Pastor Temple