Why Do Christians Become Discouraged?
1) Direct Answer
Christians become discouraged when they take their eyes off the Lord’s promises, listen to the accuser, walk by sight instead of faith, grow weary under trial, or misunderstand God’s loving chastening. Discouragement is a real battle, but it is not the believer’s portion—God provides strength, comfort, and renewal.
2) Scriptural Explanation
- Looking at circumstances instead of the Word: Peter sank when he saw the wind, but was safe while looking at Jesus (Matthew 14:29-31).
- Isolation and fear: Elijah ran, sat under a juniper tree, and asked to die; God fed him, spoke gently, and sent him back with a word (1 Kings 19:1-18).
- Delay and dashed expectations: “We trusted…” said the Emmaus disciples, sad and confused, until the Scriptures were opened and Christ was made known (Luke 24:17-32).
- Weariness under chastening: We “be wearied and faint” unless we consider Him who endured; God’s chastening yields fruit (Hebrews 12:3-11).
- Hope deferred: “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick” (Proverbs 13:12).
- Satan’s accusations and attacks: The adversary seeks to devour; he is the accuser of the brethren (1 Peter 5:8-9; Revelation 12:10).
- Honest testimony of saints: “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? hope thou in God” (Psalm 42:5). “We are troubled… yet not distressed… cast down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).
3) Simple Clarifying Logic
- Discouragement rises when sight takes the throne and the promise is pushed aside. Faith looks away to Jesus (Hebrews 12:2).
- If God’s people never faced discouragement, why would He say, “Be not weary in well doing” (Galatians 6:9), “Fear not… be strong” (Joshua 1:9), and give us “the comfort of the Scriptures” (Romans 15:4)?
- The remedy is not to deny the storm, but to lift higher than it:
- Return to the Word: “This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me” (Psalm 119:50).
- Pray and cast away your cares: “Be careful for nothing… the peace of God shall keep your hearts” (Philippians 4:6-7); “Casting all your care upon him” (1 Peter 5:7).
- Resist the devil and take the shield of faith (James 4:7; Ephesians 6:16).
- Wait on the Lord for renewed strength (Isaiah 40:28-31).
- Keep fellowship and encouragement (Hebrews 10:24-25).
- Rejoice and give thanks—“the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
- Remember past deliverances (Psalm 77:11-12).
Short reinforcing statement
You see, discouragement is a sign of battle, not of abandonment. Lift your eyes to Christ, speak what God has spoken, and keep walking. “We faint not… while we look not at the things which are seen…but at the things which are not seen” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
Ask a Follow-up Question
What did the Laodicean Church Age (our age) Angel (- messenger) Say about this?
Ranked passages from the local William Branham sermon and Church Age Book database. Relevance is relative, not a statement of doctrinal certainty.
Jubilee Year
54-1003E §48
And, today, that same kind of religion that we have has branched off and branched off till it's become so patterned till it's a Hollywood show, almost. Now, you know that's the truth. And we go into a place, set up a big band of music, and play music, and carry on, and act like ... pretending Christians. But go to them and cross one up one time, and watch what you get, see. Christianity is long-suffering, goodness, meekness, gentleness, patience. Is that right? "Christ, when He was reviled, He reviled not again." I...
Where I think Pentecost failed
55-1111 §30
And therefore, when people claim to be Christians, or impersonate Christianity, or try to act like they're a Christian, when down in their heart, they don't have the peace of God. You only become an actor. And, you know, people really know that. Your neighbor knows that you're just acting that way. Certainly. She see you get mad and fly loose, and beat the dog around the house, and holler at your husband, and scat him under the bed when he comes in. And you do the same to... Why, they know that's not Christianity a...
Thirsting for Life
60-0304 §31
And I said, "Honey, the reason that Christians," I said, "the Christians doesn't have any desire to act like that, because they are not really Americans. As citizenship they are, here, but they are pilgrims and strangers. Their citizenship is in heaven, and they are born from above, where holiness and godliness rules." Real Christians that are born of the Spirit of God doesn't act like that. No, sir. Oh, you can be a Pentecostal. You can belong to the Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist Church, smoke cigarettes, drink...
The Word became flesh (India trip report)
54-1003M §93
...and one has to do this, and one has to do that, and one has to do that. But, brother, let's let this old tabernacle, one time ... let's get straightened out forever. We are Christians, by faith. Through grace of God, we are Christians, see. God, in His infinite mercy, called us to be reconciled to Him, through His Son, Christ Jesus. Settles it! Not what we done. What He did; He changed my soul from the things of the world, unto the things of God; from horse races, and gambling, and adultery, and lying, and stealing...
Perfect strength by perfect weakness
61-1119 §34
Now, a somebody can become one of His people. God can use them if they are ready to forget that they are a somebody. If you are ready to forget that you're a somebody and become a nobody, then God can use you and make a somebody out of you. But you've got to forget that you're so important. There's many of us do that in our lives. As soon as... Some people, as soon as they become Christians, they become arrogant, indifferent (that's right), when they're just taking a vice versa the path. They're going backwards ins...