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.
Why many Christians struggle to live the Christian life
57-0303A §4
I think that would be, seemingly to me, a very vital subject this afternoon. Why is it that some seems to be on the housetop all the time, and others seem to have the ups-and-downs all the time, and others seem to be practically in the valley all the time? Getting the letters and the reports from the meetings, sometimes leads me to prayer to find what would the Lord have me to speak to the church. For in the letters and sometimes at nighttime when the anointing of the discernment is on, you seemingly you could find...
Why many Christians struggle to live the Christian life
57-0303A §36
...e's something in the member that gives him peace and joy, he's always on the mountain top shouting the praises of God. Oh, my, I wish I could get to the seer. Then the yoke becomes easy. It doesn't chaff around the collar. It's lined with love. If it's only lined with emotion, it'll soon chaff around the collar.
Why many Christians struggle to live the Christian life
57-0303A §21
...n do is just groan, moan: "The da-a-a-ys of miracles is past. Do-o-o-n't you go around such stuff. Oh-h-h, it won't do," see. Just moaning and groaning, "Well," I thought, "why don't them trees...? What makes them moan? Is because they haven't got any life in them. That's the reason they're moaning." Well, I thought, "If they had life in them, they could sway with this wind. Well," I said, "that's right. What the Lutheran left has the Methodist eaten. What the Methodist left, the Presbyterians eaten. What the Presb...
Why are people so tossed about?
56-0101 §32
...ng bothers them. They're just as solid and anchored as they can be. No trials, no storms bothers them at all. But they seem to have something about them that people who are Christians and trying to live for God, admire that type of Christian. And I've often wondered, "Lord, what is it that these people have that others crave so much for, and yet seem to fail to get it?"
Why many Christians struggle to live the Christian life
57-0303A §34
Paul said, "It's not me that liveth, but Christ that liveth in me. The life that I now live, I live not of myself, but Christ that liveth in me." He becomes dead to all the things of the world that Christ, the mainspring in his life, was ticking off his life, just exactly, exactly the way God had made it down here in the Bible. You get what I mean? That's the reason we're fussing with one another today. That's the reason there's quarreling and stewing among us. That's the reason the Assemblies can't believe with th...