Encouragement for the Discouraged

Is there anyone who doesn’t need encouragement? Encouragement helps to bring the discouraged out of despair. The Scripture states,

My soul melts from heaviness; strengthen me according to Your word. Psalm 119:28

One writer said, “Flatter me and I may not believe you. Criticize me and I may not like you. Ignore me and I may not forgive you. Encourage me and I may not forget you.”

Encouragement really is the spice of life. A word of encouragement during a failure is worth more that an hour of praise after success.

Three Key Truths About Encouragement

1. Spend time with the right people!

Maybe you are going through a discouraging time in your life and need strong encouragement from your friends. To be encouraged you must spend time with people who are like-minded; who have the same beliefs, goals, and concerns on their hearts. Don’t avoid the very people who can help you!

Many years ago, during a discouraging time in my life, I read a book by Chuck Swindoll entitled, Encourage Me. I discovered personally what Swindoll explained in his book. When you are discouraged, the weight of discouragement can literally drop your shoulders and your smile. The entire day may look dark and gloomy. For a time you may think there is no ray of hope whatsoever. But it is incredible how a word of encouragement from God, through a fellow believer, can lift your shoulders.

Swindoll said this,

Encouragement is awesome. Think about it. It has the capacity to lift a man or a woman’s shoulders, to breath fresh air into the fading embers of a smoldering dream, to actually change the coarse of another human beings day or week or life.

2. Encourage others even though you may be discouraged.

One of the best things you can do during a time of discouragement is to encourage someone else! Have you ever been discouraged and then encounter someone else only to find out that their life is much more distressed than yours? All of a sudden you have a new perspective. This is the time for you to be the encourager. The Scripture says,

I am sending him to you for this very purpose that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts.

Colossians 4:8

It’s difficult to comfort someone when you don’t know what they are facing. Take notice and respond to the people who desperately need a word of encouragement. If they have been offended, comfort them. If they are guilty of wrong actions, encourage them to return to a relationship with God.

3. Use God’s Word to Encourage

Real encouragement for the believer comes from God’s Word. Check to see how much of His Word you have in your heart (not just your head) to share with them. Here are some comforting passages you might need to add to your encouragement list:

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid..

John 14:27

As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

John 15:9-11

You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another. 

John 15:16-17

Do you need encouragement today? Receive it from God’s Word.