Top 10 Ways to Overcome Discouragement As Christians

Are you discouraged? Here are the top 10 ways to overcome discouragement as Christians.

Discouragement is a part of life, but you can overcome it by using these strategies.

Matter of fact, discouragement happens to the best of us. So, if you are discouraged or have found yourself discouraged before, you are perfectly okay.

Discouragement can set in at any time, it could be right after a failure, disappointment, or even success. As was the case with Elijah in 1Kings 19:4 after winning a major victory against the prophets of Baal.

In the preceding bible chapter, Elijah had asked God to prove Himself to the prophets of Baal. By sending down fire to consume the offering he had prepared for God. God did as Elijah requested thereby putting the prophets of Baal to shame. Because their own god Baal could not consume their offering by fire.

Humanly speaking, this was a great achievement and Elijah should have been proud of his ability to command God. I know I would have been or might have been proud. But not Elijah, he was discouraged when he considered all of God’s prophets that had been killed by Jezebel. Read his reaction below;

4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” (1 Kings 19:4 NKJV)

Elijah that had just been mightily used by God wanted to die! Sad, right? Yeah, I know.

And this goes to show that nobody is immune to feelings of discouragement. Therefore, the essence of this post is to encourage you to take heart and provide tips for overcoming discouragement.

Discouragement happens to the best of us. If you're feeling discouraged or have been discouraged, you are perfectly okay. Here are top 10 tips for #overcomingdiscouragement Click To Tweet

What is Discouragement?

Discouragement means having low spirits. In other words, what used to excite you no longer seems exciting. Your favorite pastime now seems like a chore. It could also mean having a feeling of despondency where hope is fast fading away.

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Discouragement is a Weapon of the devil

The devil is our arch-enemy as Christians and he’s against anything and anyone that glorifies God. Therefore, don’t be surprised that he employs all tactics to derail us in our pursuit of God and God’s kingdom.

One of his favorite tactics is discouragement because it’s subtle and can pass unnoticed unlike some of his other more pronounced tactics. For instance, if you keep falling sick, you could easily recognize that it’s a spiritual attack.

But in discouragement, it’s possible to have a rational explanation for all that led you to that state.

For example, in Elijah’s mind, wanting to die because Jezebel had killed some of God’s prophet seemed like a plausible reason. But if he had taken time to reflect on the day’s victory, he would have been in a euphoric state. This leads us to the next section that contains some tips for overcoming discouragement.

Related Post: Biblical Examples of Discouragement and Signs

10 Tips for Overcoming Discouragement – Bible

These are my top 10 tips for overcoming discouragement and they have been written in no particular order so feel free to try them out the next time you’re feeling discouraged.

1. Overcome Discouragement by Praying

One way to overcome discouragement is to pray. We have earlier established that discouragement can be an attack from the devil so it’s best to pray.

Pray against every spirit of discouragement attacking you. Bind them in the name of Jesus and command them to leave you alone.

¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12 NKJV)

And we know that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man is power-packed and avails much. (James 5:16)

Prayer changes things!

2. Listening to spirit-filled songs is another way to overcome discouragement

Another way to overcome discouragement is to listen to spirit-filled songs.

I’ve found that listening to spirit-filled songs when I feel down goes a long way to lift my spirits and energize me. Do the same, and before long, your spirit will be lighter, and you will have the ease to pray and decree what you want.

Remember Saul? Each time an evil spirit troubled him, the antidote was worship.

²³ And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him. (1 Samuel 16:23 NKJV)

3. Talk to godly people – Overcome Discouragement

Talking to godly people who can encourage you is another way to overcome discouragement.

This might seem obvious, but the time to isolate yourself from others is not when you’re feeling discouraged.

As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend (Proverbs 27:17)

4. Recall past victories and testimonies

Recalling past victories and testimonies of God’s faithfulness is another tip for overcoming discouragement.

By recalling past victories and testimonies of how God came through for you, your faith will be strengthened. And your hope in God’s ability will be renewed and you will be able to hold on till your change comes.

That is why I love my free prayer journal because it contains records of God’s faithfulness through the years. And serves as a reminder in the downtimes.

One way to overcome #discouragement is to recall past victories and let that spur you on to #greaterheights. Read on for 9 more ways to #overcome. Click To Tweet

5. Watch a movie

Hey! When you’re feeling discouraged, the devil wants you to hole up and possibly die in that state. But we won’t allow it. You will not die but live and declare the works of the Lord in the land of the living. Amen.

So, slot in a good comedy, sit back, relax, and tell yourself this too shall pass.

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6. Read the bible

Read the bible and listen to what God has to say to you.

The bible is full of stories of people who suffered discouragement and overcame.

Don’t harden your heart, be tenderhearted before Him. Even if your discouragement is due to unanswered prayer, still rely on God. He will do it in due time if you faint not.

I have spent time collating some bible verses for overcoming discouragement in this post. They will no doubt be beneficial.

7. Go for a walk or work out

Go for a walk or work out. This might help you clear your head and see things in a different perspective. It could also offer an awesome opportunity to pray and worship God.

8. Seek godly support from those with similar experiences

Seek support from godly people who have had similar experiences to yours but overcame. Listen to them and learn from them. The emphasis is on “godly people” because then you’re sure that their recommendations will align with God’s word.

9. Encourage yourself in the Lord

Be like David and encourage yourself in the Lord. That was what he did when he got back from trying to fight as an ally of the Philistines. He returned to his base with his men and discovered the entire city of Ziklag was burnt. And their wives and children were taken captive by the Amalekites and the people contemplated stoning David.

At that point when it seemed all hell was let loose over David and he had no supporter, he encouraged himself in the Lord. (1Samuel 30: 1 – 6)

⁶ And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. (1 Samuel 30:6 KJV)

So, the next time you feel discouraged, be like David, and encourage yourself in the Lord.

10. Be intentional about listening to good news

Deliberately seek out good news. Deliberately seeking out and listening to good news will help lighten your mood and lift your spirits.

To know more about how God gives strength to the weary, read my post on strength to the weary.

Conclusion

In this post, we have examined the topic of discouragement. And established that nobody is immune from discouragement plus, it can set in at any time.

We have equally established that discouragement is sometimes an attack from the devil and should be treated as such. Because we are not ignorant of the devil’s devices (2 Corinthians 2:11).

Similarly, we have looked at the top 10 ways to overcome discouragement including praying and listening to spirit-filled songs.

In conclusion, don’t wallow in discouragement. Rather, make every effort to overcome it. Rise like the overcomer you are, and God will help you in Jesus name. Amen.

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