Faithful Steward Ministries and FSM Women's Outreach

I have not been posting regularly for the past month or so as I have been dealing with some health issues. Nothing “major”, just enough to be annoying. I have good support from family (Bio and Church) and friends that keep me from getting into the doldrums. This is what led me to this topic.

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COMMENT

I may be the only one, but I doubt it. I think we have all run into those folks who, no matter the circumstance, no matter what they are dealing with, you ask them how they are and they say, “I am blessed.” Yes, if they are a “true Christian,” that is in fact the case. We are blessed to be redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb. However, I find it hard to believe that they never ever feel discouraged at all. In fact, most of these folks I have met seem to believe/imply that a Christian should never be discouraged. But, is that Biblical?

Do not misunderstand me here. While we, as God’s elect, are also not of this world (John 15:19), we have to live in it until we are called home. Having a positive attitude and a gratefulness for all God has “Blessed Us” with are proper attitudes. Just as denying the everyday sin and toil of this depraved world that surely finds pains of discouragement (even very small ones) in us all, is an unhealthy attitude.

The book of Job is often used to demonstrate what a stalwart Christian should be: Job’s Response to His Losses (Job 1:20-22) – Despite his immense loss, Job worships God and does not sin by blaming Him, saying, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.” However, folks tend to skirt around or fail to highlight Job’s “human” side. Just two chapters later, Job announces his total discouragement: Job’s Lament and Curse of His Birth (Job 3:1-26) – Job breaks his silence with a lament, cursing the day of his birth and expressing his deep anguish and desire for death.

Another takeaway from Job we can look at is how his friends treated him. Job’s three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar came as comforters in Chapter two, but by Chapter four were telling Job to repent, for surely his suffering was because he had grievously sinned against God. Those who are “Blessed,” whether it be by God or their own claims, are closely watched by others. One slip and they will gladly point out the error of your ways.

One final comment on this topic that needs to be addressed is that of a discourager. These folks are the polar opposite of the “I am blessed, always” crowd and far more dangerous. Their bad attitude can spread through a congregation like the flu. See The Sin of Being a Discourager by J. R. Miller below.

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STUDY

Discouragement

A sense of unhappiness arising from a loss of confidence in one’s own abilities, in the reliability of God, or in the power of the gospel. Discouragement can occur in the Christian life, especially when there is resistance to the gospel or in instances of personal failure. Scripture provides reassurance for those who experience discouragement.

The experience of discouragement Job 3:20-26 See also Nu 21:4-5 the Israelites in the desert; Jos 2:8-11 the Canaanites and Rahab; 1Sa 17:10-11 the Israelites and Goliath; 2Ki 19:26 God’s judgment on Sennacherib; Job 5:6-7; Ps 38:1-14; Pr 1:26-27 Wisdom speaks to the sinner; Ecc 2:17-20 the Teacher’s disillusion; Isa 21:2-4; Jer 45:3 to Baruch; Eze 21:7 God’s judgment on Israel; Zec 10:2; 2Co 1:8-9 Paul

Prayer in discouragement Ps 42:5-11 See also Dt 26:6-7; 2Sa 22:7 David; 2Ch 20:9 Jehoshaphat; Ne 9:32; Ps 31:9-12; Isa 38:14 Hezekiah; Jer 8:18-19; Jnh 2:1-2

Endurance in discouragement Isa 42:3-4 See also 2Co 6:4-10 Paul; 2Th 1:4; Heb 10:32; 12:3; Rev 2:3 concerning the church at Ephesus

Discouragement through disobedience Jer 8:9 See also 1Sa 28:15-18; Job 15:24-25 Eliphaz to Job; Zep 1:17

Discouragement and discipline Heb 12:5-7 See also Jdg 2:14-15; Isa 26:16

Effects of discouragement Pr 17:22 See also Ex 6:9 the Israelites in Egypt; 2Sa 4:1; Ezr 4:4 the rebuilding of the temple; Job 4:5; Pr 15:13; 18:14

Resisting discouragement Dt 1:21 See also Jos 1:9; 8:1; 1Sa 17:32 David reassuring Saul about Goliath; 1Ch 22:13 David to Solomon; 2Ch 32:7 Hezekiah; Jer 51:46; Lk 18:1; Jn 14:1; Gal 6:9; Eph 3:13; 2Ti 4:5

God’s help in discouragement Ro 8:35-39 See also Dt 31:6,8,23; Jos 1:9; 1Ch 28:20; 2Ch 20:15,17; Ps 34:18; Isa 40:29-31; 61:1; Lk 4:18; Jer 30:10; Jn 16:33; 2Co 7:6 Paul

Warnings not to discourage others. The Israelites were discouraged when on the point of entering the promised land, Ob 12 See also Dt 1:28 by the spies; Nu 32:7 by the Gadites and Reubenites

General warnings not to discourage others Ps 109:16; Zec 10:2; Ac 15:19 James advises against discouraging the Gentiles; Col 3:21

The need to stand with the discouraged Heb 13:3 See also Job 6:14; Jer 8:21; Ro 12:15; Jas 1:27

Martin H. Manser, Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies (London: Martin Manser, 2009).

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Is it ‘Unspiritual’ to be Discouraged? by Dr Sinclair B Ferguson

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Battling Discouragement by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

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Duties and Discouragements by Richard Sibbes

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Dealing With Discouragement by Todd Linn, PhD on March 27, 2026

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DISCOURAGEMENT by Arthur Pink May, 1948

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DANGERS OF DISCOURAGEMENT by J. R. Miller, 1896

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The Sin of Being a Discourager by J. R. Miller