Don't Lose Heart By Jason MeyerSýnishorn

Why Discouragement is a Liar

We lose heart when we believe half-truths because they remind us that there are real reasons to become discouraged. Those troubling facts feel compelling when they stand on their own, and it is easy to become overwhelmed by discouragement because the reasons are real.

I have bad news and good news to share. The bad news is that our fallen world is full of many reasons to lose heart, and they are easy to see. It does not take any special skill to recognize the reasons in our everyday lives. It does not take faith to become discouraged. 

But here is the good news: The reasons to take heart are greater than the reasons to lose heart! In other words, we can defeat discouragement because it is only a half-truth. Encouragement does not come from wishful thinking but from seeing the totality of truth and embracing what is truly real.

In 2 Kings 6, we find the prophet Elisha and his servant encircled by the Syrian army. The imbalance of the situation seems almost comical. What were two people against an entire army? Elisha’s servant despairs, so Elisha tells his despondent servant to look at their circumstances again. He needed to be confronted with the full truth so he wouldn’t be discouraged by the half-truth. Elisha told him: “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:16–17) 

The Bible speaks of discouragement often. It does not pretend that the problems are not there; it simply declares that there is more to see. The Christian life is a fight for sight. If all we see is what is against us, the shackles of discouragement will keep us confined to a prison of despair. When we see that the One who is for us is greater than all that is against us, our chains fall off and our hearts are free to hope again. Hope forfeited is despair. Seeing the bigger picture is the key to hope restored.

What causes discouragement in your life? Tell God you are willing to see the bigger picture of your life and ask Him to restore you to a place of hope.