Overcoming Discouragement: 5 Powerful Tips

Overcoming discouragement is possible!

Have you ever been disappointed that God wasn’t answering a prayer that you were praying about for years? This is where I was  for the past three years and it was really discouraging.

“Why isn’t God answering this specific prayer” was a thought that had been consuming my thoughts for days at a time. Throughout my frustration, I’ve come to realize that looking through the lens of my own perspective had contributed to my discouragement.

Today I’d like to share a few tips with you so that we may be able to overcome discouragement together.

This post will be all about overcoming discouragement. 

Are you ready? Let’s geaux!  

6 Main Causes Of Discouragement

From my experience, there are six main causes of discouragement in a believers life that have the potential to consume all of their time.

While these six causes aren’t the only causes, these are the reasons for my own personal discouragement and I have a feeling that you may be reaping the results of the six things.

Here are six main causes of discouragement:

1. Feeling The Need To Rush

Romans 12:2 NIV-Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing, and perfect will.

From the moment you’re born, you’re placed under the expectation of other people. By the age of six months, you “should” be rolling over and expressing emotions. At seventeen and eighteen, you “should” know what college you want to attend or where you want to work.

Throughout your early twenties, you “should” be graduating and breaking through your career field. And finally in your mid-twenties and thirties, you “should” be somewhat established and looking for a suitable mate to settle down with and start a family.

Realistically none of our lives will ever be this seamless so why are we still pushing timelines as if we are the ones who gave ourselves life?

You DO NOT need to rush through life. Life is NOT a race and it’s never too late for anything. You need to slow down.

If you continue at the rate you’re going, you’ll never be happy. The world put these timelines and expectations on you and last time I checked you’re in this world and not of it.

This world is no longer your babysitter. God is raising you and it’s time to slow down enough so you can see what He’s teaching you.

{RELATED POST: 5 Tips To Trust God In The Waiting Season}

2. Running From God

Psalm 32:9 NIV-Do not be like a horse or a mule which have no understanding, but must be controlled by a bit and a bridle or they will not come near you. 

To run from God isn’t only to walk away from Him completely. Running from God is also avoiding and dodging your responsibilities in Him.

If God has called you to do anything, you can do it because He has coded said thing in your DNA. The question is why don’t you believe Him.

If you are running because you think you’re alone, you have to know that this calling was God extending His hand to you. This is your opportunity to partner with Him!

Whatever He calls you to is much bigger than what you can accomplish on your own. At times you will feel inadequate and unqualified, but in those moments you have to go back to see what He spoke of you.

What He spoke of you is the truth, not your feelings.

{Check Out This Powerful Sermon On This Topic}

3. Not Allowing God To Work His Way

1 Corinthians 6:19 ESV-Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own.

It’s not fair that you’ve given something to God, but you take it back whenever it’s convenient to you. You gave your life to Christ which means that your life is no longer your own.

The longer you choose your way, the less time you have to experience you’re true authentic self. You’re living with unnecessary pain that God has been trying to heal.

Healing will be a painful experience, but it’ll be worth it to no longer have the wounds.

4. Returning To Old Habits And Patterns 

Proverbs 26:11 NLT- As a dog returns to its vomit, a fool repeats his foolishness.

Your old habits and patterns are the way you once cared for your wounds. Going back to your old habits and patterns is very similar to someone putting off going to the doctor until they are in an immense level of pain.

Those patterns and habits are what you needed in a previous season, but you now have healthier alternatives. Go to your Source.

He has vowed to take care of you even until your in your old age (Isaiah 46:4 ESV).

{RELATED POST: How To Stop Self-Sabotaging}

5. Disobedience

John 14:15 NKJV-If you love me, keep my commandments. 

Disobeying God is really doing yourself a disservice. It’s essentially robbing you of the abundant life and robbing God of the opportunity to bless you.

Obedience isn’t like an animal doing what you tell it to do. It’s more like a love language between two people who are a committed relationship.

God’s love language is obedience so when you disobey Him, you’re showing Him that you don’t love Him like you say you do. Don’t worry, you can still repent and start obeying God from here on out.

Maybe you struggle because you don’t understand how to walk in obedience to God. If this is the case, be sure to check out this post and allow the words to sink into your being.

6. Letting Your Desires Rule You

James 4:1-3 ESV-What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passion are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

When you constantly dwell on unmet desires, you find yourself in a state of discouragement again and again. The Bible says that desires cause quarrels and fights among us and I dare to argue that they cause fights within us as well.

I know it can feel like you needs are imperative, but truthfully all you need is in God. Lay your desires down and set your eyes on Him.

Don’t allow your desires to continue to rule you.

5 Tips For Overcoming Discouragement

To overcome discouragement, you need to surrender. It’s an absolute must that you lay aside your will and take up God’s. All this means is to commit to spending time with Him, reading and listening to what He tells you, and following through on it.

It’s very simple, but it will take some time to do. You’re growing in the Spirit after spending a long time in the world. Let God set the pace and just try your best to rest in Him.

Here are five additional tips for overcoming discouragement:

1. Let Go Of What You Thought Your Life Would Be

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV-Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold, the new has come. 

Letting go of what you thought life would be includes letting go of all timelines, relationships, money in the bank, ability to partake in activities, and anything else you consider your life.

You’re a baby again. You are a anew in Christ and the old has passed away.

Tip To Let Go: Embrace the reality that you are a baby in the Spirit.

2. Take Your Time

1 John 2:17 ESV-And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Remember there’s no rush. This is a learning experience and you can enjoy it as long as you keep your eyes on Him.

Tip To Take Your Time: Get to the root behind why you’re trying to rush.

3. Remind Yourself Of What God Has Done

Psalm 145:5 ESV-On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. 

Remind yourself of what God has done for you biblically and personally. Frequently take trips down memory lane with God.

Talk to Him about the many things He’s done and just enjoy basking through the memories together.

Tip To Remind Yourself: Keep a written record of what He’s done for you

4. Remember To Talk To God About How You Feel

1 Peter 5:7 AMP-Casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].

A part of a healthy relationship is intimacy where feelings, concerns, and sacred things are discussed. It’s okay to talk to God about your feelings and even your desires.

Talking about your feelings and even journaling them is a way that you can get to the root of discouragement. Remember there are many reasons why you can be in a state of discouragement.

Tip To Talk To God About Your Feelings: Don’t hold back. Talk to Him like you would talk to a friend.

5. Hope Again And Be Encouraged

Psalm 42:11 ESV-Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. 

The meaning of discouragement is without courage. Many feelings that come along with discouragement can be ones that try to persuade you to give up.

It’s time for you to hope again and encourage yourself with the truth of God’s word. Practicing gratitude is a great way to build your hope again.

Thank God for a few things throughout the day and watch discouragement slowly vanish.

Tip To Hope Again: Practice gratitude and ask God to restore your hope. He is the one who is your Source.

I hope you found this post really insightful. Rereading this post, I’ve been able to take this advice and apply it to my life as well. Be sure to comment down below with the tip that helped you the most. I’d love to hear from you! 

This post was all about overcoming disappointment. 

Always remember you’re destined to win because He got up!