Speaker: Dr. Harold J. Sala | Series: Guidelines For Living | The brothers there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these men Paul thanked God and was encouraged.  Acts 28:15

Have you had the experience of starting something…you really poured your body and soul into a cause, and then you began to wonder whether it was really worth the time and effort?  We describe it as “discouragement.”  Webster defines it as “that which causes one to weaken.”

This malady known as discouragement is a prelude to one of the most devastating of all maladies, known as “QUIT‑ITIS.”  If you recognize the symptoms of this virus of the heart, you can do something about it.  This commentary is dedicated to all of you who are discouraged and feel like quitting, no matter where you are.

Notice, first of all, that discouragement almost always comes when you are physically fatigued.  Can you honestly remember ever being discouraged when you were physically on top of life–when you were feeling at your best?  Of course not!  But you can recall many times when you were weary; then this enemy of progress called discouragement sets in.

Years ago, a fiery prophet by the name of Elijah met the prophets of Baal and thundered forth the judgment of God.  He won single‑handedly, yet when he was tired physically as the result of the conflict, he turned and ran to the wilderness of Horeb.  Discouragement turned to quit‑itis as he said, “Lord, just let me die.  I am no better than the prophets before me.”  With Elijah you can score one for humility but zero for yielding to discouragement.

Second, notice that discouragement is extremely contagious.  Charles Jones, better known as Charles Tremendous Jones, was an extremely successful businessman.  In a few years he sold more insurance than many men sell in a lifetime.  When Jones was asked if he ever got discouraged he replied, “Sure, I do, but I can’t afford to let you know.  Then we’ll just discourage each other.”  When one man allows himself to become discouraged he will discourage everybody he comes in contact with.  Remember the ten spies sent out by Joshua of old discouraged an entire nation.  Discouragement is a luxury you just cannot afford.

Here is the third:  Discouragement is an enemy which does battle with faith.  Martin Luther defined faith as “a lively, reckless confidence in God.”  Faith says, “I can visualize what I want to accomplish, or I am willing to trust God for…” Discouragement cries out, “It is not worth it.”  Let me share several ways to deal with discouragement:

1) Recognize that it is no sin to be discouraged.  Spiritual giants and other men of great accomplishments have all battled it.  The sin is yielding and listening to discouragement’s deadly voice which cries, “Go ahead and quit!”

2) You can deal with your discouragement by bringing it to your Heavenly Father and asking Him for new courage and strength.  Do you remember when Jesus faced the temptation in the wilderness and was successful?  God sent angels to minister to Him, and God still meets the one who will bring his discouragement to Him.

3) Let me remind you of the Apostle Paul, who found himself on the way to Rome where he was almost certain of execution.  Paul had a long journey across the stormy Mediterranean from Caesarea in Israel to Rome.  Physically he was weary when he began the journey from the port of Puteoli.  As he came towards Rome, three fellow believers came to meet him and he “thanked God and took courage.”

If you are struggling with this monster called discouragement, take the upward look.  Thank God for what He has done and take courage.  As Paul wrote to the Galatians, “We will reap in due season if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9).  It is the upward look that brings courage for successful living.

Resource reading: Acts 27: 13-44