DEFEATING DISCOURAGEMENT

“Moses told the people what the Lord had said, but they wouldn’t listen anymore because they had become too discouraged by the increasing burden of their slavery.”Exodus 6:9 (NLT) 

(David) Why am I so discouraged? Why am I sad? I will put my hope in God!” Psalm 42:5 (NLT) 

PAUL’S 7 SECRETS OF DEFEATING DISCOURAGEMENT

2 CORINTHIANS 4:1-18

1.  

Never forget how much God loves me.  

“God IN HIS MERCY has given us this ministry and work to do. That’s Why we do not become discouraged and never give up!” 2 Corinthians 4:1 

2.  

Never fake it.  Be who you are. 

“We don’t try to trick anyone, and we don’t twist the word of God. Instead we teach the truth plainly, showing everyone WHO WE REALLY ARE. Then they can know in their hearts what kind of people we are in God’s sight.”2 Corinthians 4:2 (NLT/NCV) 

3.  

Remember that it's not about me.  

“Our message is NOT about ourselves. It is about Jesus Christ as the Lord. We are merely your servants for Jesus’ sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:5 (GW) 

4.  

Relax in my limitations.  

“We are like clay jars in which God’s treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7 (CEV) 

5.  

Use my pain to help others. 

“We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don’t know what to do, we never give up. In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again.”2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (CEV) 

“All of these sufferings of ours are for your benefit. And the more of you who are won to Christ, the more there are to thank Him for his great mercy, and the more God gets glory!”2 Corinthians 4:15 (LB) 

6.  

Take time for renewal. 

“THIS IS WHY WE NEVER GIVE UP! Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being RENEWED EVERY DAY.” 2 Corinthians 4:16 (NLT) 

7.  

Stay focused on eternity.

“Our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce in us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So, we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever!”2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NLT) 

“Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. He did not give up because of the cross! On the contrary, because of the joy that was waiting for him, he thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross, and he is now seated at the right side of God's throne.”Hebrews 12:2 (TEV) 

“Let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up!” Galatians 6:9 (LB) 

HOW TO WIN OVER PERSISTENT TEMPTATIONS

1. UNDERSTAND  

how temptation works.  You can't defeat it unless you understand it. 

(GEN.3:1-6)

Step 1: A Wrong DESIRE inside me (James 1:14-15)

Step 2: DOUBT God’s Word – “Did God really say . . . not to do this?”

Step 3: DECEPTION – “It’s no big deal” I believe Satan’s LIE

Step 4: DISOBEDIENCE – I’m hooked & defeated

2. KNOW  

what makes me vulnerable to sin.  

“Do not give the devil a foothold.” Ephesians 4:27  

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.” Proverbs 4:23  

Physically Exhausted

0 1 2 3 4

Energetic / In shape

Discouraged / Pessimistic

0 1 2 3 4

Encouraged / Optimistic

Bored / Discontented

0 1 2 3 4

Challenged / Contented

Spiritually Dry / Empty

0 1 2 3 4

Spiritually growing

Lonely / Distant

0 1 2 3 4

Feel loved / Close

Insecure / Unsure

0 1 2 3 4

Confident & Secure

Deeply wounded / hurt

0 1 2 3 4

Understood / Valued

Holding onto Unforgiveness

0 1 2 3 4

Have Forgiven everyone

Sad or Grieving a loss

0 1 2 3 4

Feel Happy

Frustrated

0 1 2 3 4

Fulfilled & Productive

TOTAL:

3. LEARN  

my pattern of temptation.  

“The wise man looks ahead. A fool tries to fool himself and won’t face facts.” Proverbs 14:8 (LB) 

•  

When

am I most tempted?

•  

Where

am I most tempted?

•  

Who

is with me when I’m most tempted?

•  

What

temporary benefit do I get if I give in?

•  

How

do I feel right before I’m tempted?

4. PLAN  

to avoid those situations.  

“Plan carefully what you do . . . Avoid evil and walk straight ahead. Don’t go one step off the right way.” Proverbs 4:26-27 (TEV) 

5. CRY OUT  

to God "HELP!" and quote Scripture to yourself. 

“Call to me when trouble comes and I will save you . . .” Psalm 50:15 (TEV) 

“(Jesus) understands our weaknesses, for he faced the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to . . . our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and grace to help us when we need it.”Hebrews 4:15-16 (NLT) 

“I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart so that I won’t sin.” Psalm 119:11 (The Message) 

6. REFOCUS  

my attention on something else. 

“Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil with good.” Romans 12:21 (GW) 

“We capture every thought. . . and we make it obey Christ!” 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NCV) 

7. JOIN  

a small group for support.  

“Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage each other all the more.” Hebrews 10:25 (TEV)   

“Admit your faults to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:16 (LB) 

8. ENLIST  

one friend to share my struggle.  

“Two are better than one, because together . . . if one falls down, the other can help him up. But if someone is alone and falls . . . there’s no one to help him.”Ecc. 4:9-10 (TEV) 

“By helping each other with your troubles, you truly obey the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 (NCV)  

9. REMEMBER  

God is on my side.  

“When temptations come into your life remember that they’re no different from what others commonly experience. And God is faithful. He will never let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. Also when you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will be able withstand it.”1 Corinthians 10:13 

“We give thanks to God because he gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” 1 Corinthians 15:57