The Attack from Within

How many of you have ever experienced a cold or the flu? How many of you have ever experienced discouragement? We know that both colds and flus are caused by different kinds of viruses. But what about discouragement? What causes that? 

It doesn’t take much to feel the effects of discouragement — a word, a look, a disappointment, a rejection. These simple things can send us into a state of discouragement. But on more than one occasion, God told His people, “Don’t be discouraged.” In other words, don’t allow yourself to be discouraged — so there must be something we can do! 

Discouragement starts in the mind. We tend to think it’s a result of our circumstances — perhaps something didn’t work out, or so-and-so said such-and-such. But it isn’t as much about our situation as it is about what we think of our situation. Negative thinking leads to discouragement. 

Feeling discouraged is different from being discouraged. The feeling affects our emotions, whereas the being affects our actions. Everyone feels discouraged at some point, but not everyone becomes discouraged. Just because you feel that way doesn’t mean you have to become discouraged — not if we handle it God’s way. When we dwell on negative thoughts, our confidence is weakened, our faith is neutralized, our hope is forgotten, and we feel broken. 

Words are powerful, and sometimes people — even well-meaning ones — can say things that lead us down the path of discouragement. If we’re honest, sometimes we have discouraged others, and sometimes we are the cause of our own discouragement. 

Why is discouragement so destructive? Because it leads to doubt. Doubt weakens faith. Without faith, we are hopeless — which results in giving up. And getting us to give up is the enemy’s mission. When we stop trying, stop believing, or stop doing, the enemy claps his hands and cheers. Discouragement will make us think we can’t, or that God won’t. It makes us feel overwhelmed, under-equipped, or undervalued. 

And here’s the thing: this kind of thinking destroys faith — which also originates in the mind. Negative thinking never comes from God. God tells us, Don’t go there. Don’t let yourself go to the place of discouragement. If you’ve battled with discouragement lately, don’t listen to the voice of discouragement inside your head. Listen to God instead: 

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9 

Did you notice that God links discouragement with fear? A major cause of discouragement is fear — fear that things won’t work out, fear that circumstances won’t get better, fear of failure, fear of isolation, fear of rejection. Fear. Fear. Fear. 

Did you also notice that God links the remedy for discouragement with His nearness and presence? The reason none of us should allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by discouragement is simple: wherever we go, whatever we face, whatever our circumstances, the Lord will be with us. 

So what do we do when discouragement threatens to steal our confidence, rob our joy, defuse our strength, and push us to give up? Refuse to dwell on the negative thoughts that lead down the path of discouragement. Listen to God’s encouraging voice instead: “Don’t be afraid. Don’t be discouraged. Be strong. Keep going. You can do this. I am here.” 

The story of Elijah in the Bible illustrates the impact that negative thinking has on our ability to be used by God to minister to others. When Elijah confronted King Ahab, he was fearless. Faithfully, he carried out his assignment — boldly sharing God’s message of judgment and then patiently enduring being hidden away for 3½ years. 

Then he summoned the nation to a challenge on Mt. Carmel, where he stood alone — no one gave him public support. He knew his life depended on God’s protective hand. But while he clung to God as his strength, he was invincible. God responded in a way that confirmed Elijah as His special messenger. As a result, the king and all the people were ready to carry out his directives. 

After Elijah prayed, God sent a full-blown rainstorm, and in the darkness Elijah guided King Ahab’s chariot the 20+ miles to Samaria. Even though he was physically exhausted, he lay down content, believing that now everything would be different. He thought the tide of evil had turned — but when he was awakened with Jezebel’s message that she would kill him that very day, his courage failed. Forgetting that God was his source of strength, he ran in terror for his life. 

Elijah was fearless before King Ahab and the people, but he ran in fear at the threat of Jezebel. Why the difference? He was totally dependent on and trusted in God before Ahab, but he succumbed to discouragement, which weakened his faith. As a result, he forgot God and reacted in his own effort to save his life from Jezebel. 

Our success is not based on our strength or effort but on putting our trust and faith in God. Our success is assured when we are connected to Him. 

So if your circumstances seem hopeless, or you feel like your life is coming apart, instead of meditating on negative thoughts driven by your problems, turn your attention to God’s promises. Remember: to meet the attack from within, we must have divine help. Choose to entrust your life into God’s hands and accept His solutions and the grace needed to overcome the power of discouragement. If God is for us, who can be against us?