Feel Discouraged? Do This…

Despite having a promise from God to become the king of Israel, David struggled on the journey to becoming king. In fact, we see that he was hunted by Saul, betrayed, and often had moments of deep sadness. Yet, when his men spoke of stoning him, David did something unique—he found strength in God (1 Samuel 30:6).

Your Greatest Attack Comes When You’re the Closest to Your Calling

David’s life seemed to be moving towards God’s promise: he defeated Goliath, gained a position in Saul’s palace, married Saul’s daughter, and became a general in the army, but then everything changed. He faced persecution, conspiracy, and betrayal. At one point, David even thought, “One of these days I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul.” Because of this, discouragement began to fill David’s heart and drove him to seek refuge among the Philistines, the very enemies he had once defeated. Discouragement began to grow and grow and the attack intensified.

When we get discouraged, we often look for answers and directions from God. However, we must remember that God’s response doesn’t always come immediately. The Bible shows us that in moments of attack, what we need most is not a new strategy but strength. David understood this; in this moment, he didn’t ask God for directions. Instead, he strengthened himself in the Lord, and only after that did that, he sought God’s guidance.

Five Ways to Find Strength in the Lord

1. Sing to God
   Worship shifts our perspective, lifting us above our problems and helping us see them from God’s viewpoint. Singing about God’s goodness, even when we don’t feel like it, can change the atmosphere in our souls.
2. Speak in Tongues
   “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself” (1 Corinthians 14:4). Speaking in tongues builds you up spiritually. Even when you don’t feel like it, speaking in tongues releases the Holy Spirit’s power within you, bringing rest and refreshment to your soul.
3. Speak to Your Soul
   David frequently spoke to his soul, asking, “Why are you cast down, O my soul?” (Psalm 42:5-6). When you get discouraged, don’t let your soul dictate your feelings. Instead, speak to your soul and remind it of God’s faithfulness.
4. Strengthen Others
   Find someone in a worse situation than yours and strengthen them. When David strengthened himself in the Lord, he found a man in need and helped him. Serving others activates God’s power and brings a refreshing to your own life.
5. Subdue the Enemy
   Sometimes, weariness and discouragement are more than emotional; they can be spiritual attacks. Open your mouth and speak against the enemy. Just as Jesus resisted the devil in the wilderness, we too must stand firm, declare God’s Word, and command the enemy to leave.

Final Thoughts

Stress and challenges are inevitable in our lives, but they don’t have to defeat us. When we learn to find strength in the Lord, it helps to shift our perspective and brings us closer to God’s purposes in our lives.

Read: Needing Spiritual Strength?