Discouragement is real. And when we’re going through discouraging times, pep talks aren’t as welcome—but we need them anyway.
Sometimes we experience feelings of discouragement simply because our current circumstances are not ideal. Sometimes it’s because of real danger. Consider as an example, Queen Esther.
Esther was encouraged by her uncle Mordecai after he had received a report from her that she was afraid to go before the king unannounced—
Then Esther spoke to Hathach, and gave him a command for Mordecai: “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that any man or woman who goes into the inner court to the king, who has not been called, he has but one law: put all to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter, that he may live. Yet I myself have not been called to go in to the king these thirty days.”
So they told Mordecai Esther’s words. And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
For Esther, the danger did not vanish because of Mordecai’s encouragement, but she clearly grew in confidence enough to approach the king (see 4:16). And we know how that story developed. To this day, Jews recognize Esther’s courage as they celebrate Purim.
Another example is Elijah when he fled from Jezebel’s threats. His story amazes me because Elijah was valiant when dealing with the priests of Baal and King Ahab in 1 Kings 18. But then Queen Jezebel threatens Elihaj’s life, and he takes her threats to heart so much so that he is scared and he flees.
And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” (1 Kings 19:1–4)
God doesn’t allow Elijah to quit. God miraculously provided food for him (vv. 5–8). And then God asks Elijah, “What are you doing here?” (vv. 9, 13).
God then explains to Elijah what He wants for him to do. And He concludes, “Yet I have reserved 7,000 in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” (v. 18)
Elijah was unaware of the 7,000 faithful and this caused him to be discouraged. But God revealed to him that they were there and they were faithful just like Elijah—he was not alone, and God needed him to continue.
When we’re going through difficult days (Ecclesiastes 12:1–8), we need to remind ourselves of the continuing love and express promises of God. We need not focus unduly on ourselves, but on Christ
Looking unto Jesus, the pioneer and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. (Hebrews 12:2–3)
Today we don’t necessarily expect to get from God the revelations like Elijah did. But we need to know, to be reassured in our minds, that God seeks our success in Him:
But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:8–11)
But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 2:13–14)
