Jeremiah wrote, The joy of our heart is ceased; our dance is turned into mourning. The crown is fallen from our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned (Lam. 5:15-16). The notice the prophet was giving to God’s children was discouragement is a real thing. Now, the context mentions the sin of God’s people but they were suffering from discouragement non-the less. Discouragement is a very real danger. It is a weapon that Satan wields very proficiently in order to divide man from God and man from his brethren. Discouragement has the potential of destroying us. When we fall into the pit of discouragement, how do we overcome?

First, by focusing on Heaven. Life is meaningless without God. Paul spoke of those at one time who were without hope of Heaven because they were without God. (Eph. 2:12). With God, Heaven is truly a reality, And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away (Revelation 21:3-4). Our focus must be on Heaven.

Second, by counting your blessings. We should not allow a few negative things to monopolize his attention. We often sing the song, “…count your many blessings see what God has done.” The question is how often do we do that?  James said, Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning (James 1:17). We must count our blessings.

Third, by remembering we know the end of the story. The book of Revelation tells us when all is said and done, we who have been faithful will be victorious: And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (Revelation 12:11). We know that we will attain the mountain tops, why then worry we find ourselves in some dark valley we know is only temporary? We must remember with the end in sight.

May we all strive to overcome discouragement!