Sabbath Thought – Discouragement

In 1858 the Illinois state legislature (who at the time elected the state senators) sent Stephen Douglas to the U.S. Senate instead of Abraham Lincoln, although Lincoln had won the popular vote. When a sympathetic friend asked Lincoln how he felt, he said, "Like the boy who stubbed his toe: I am too big to cry and too badly hurt to laugh."

Abraham Lincoln was not the only person in history to face disappointment or discouragement. The Bible has many examples of discouragement for us to consider: Job’s loss of family, finances and friends; David being pursued for years by King Saul; Paul’s many beatings, shipwrecks and imprisonments; Elijah, Naomi, Moses and many more examples. Even in our own lives we can see that we face many days of trouble (Job 14:1) – so what can we learn from the examples in Scripture and from our own disappointments? Does God simply let us drift at times, subject to the randomness of life? Even for those who have no answer to such questions, it is obvious that discouragement left uncorrected can wear a person down.

There are many points to consider in dealing with discouragement. We should analyze why there is discouragement in our life – too many or too few goals, the wrong focus in life, the consequence of wrong choices, or maybe simply too many demands of our time. We should not fear setbacks, disappointments or discouragement – we should strive not to have a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7). We must also remember that without Christ we can do nothing (John 15:5). If our discouragement is coming from us trying to succeed in life apart from God, or in a way that we think we should succeed, then we can find ourselves “kicking against the goads,” (Acts 9:5). 

When we do face disappointment and discouragement (and we will in this life) it is imperative for us to see the purpose God has in the trials we go through – and remember that He seeks to comfort us in our trials (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). Additionally, we are to support each other in the difficulties we face (Hebrews 10:24-25) and to remember who our true adversary is (1 Peter 5:8) – disappointment, discouragement and doubt are from Satan. It is natural for us to seek comfort in this life, but this life is not the life God holds out for us. He has made us temporary in the hope of bringing many sons (and daughters) to glory – through our sufferings (Hebrews 2:10).

This I know that God has begun a good work in each and every person who takes on the name of Christ, and He will complete that work in us (Philippians 1:6). Be of good courage (Joshua 1:7).

I wish you a very encouraging Sabbath,

Dan Dowd

25 April, 2026