Today, I’m honored to welcome Rev. Jessica Van Roekel as she shares hope and biblical truth for those walking through seasons of discouragement.
Biblical Encouragement for the Discouraged Heart
By Jessica Van Roekel
I have had my several seasons when I lived with a discouraged heart. It’s probably the issue I deal with more often than any other. At times it creeps in slowly, taking ground silently, until I feel as though I’m stuck. Other times, it hits like a Mack truck flying down the road at 80mph. I’m flattened by it. No matter how discouragement shows up, the impact ripples into all aspects of my life. I struggle to gain ground and seem to take more steps backward than forward. The journey seems darker and more dangerous. I yearn for light and smooth ways but seem trapped in a dark place filled with doubt, disappointment, and disillusionment.
The Bible has encouragement for us, just like it offers mercy and justice, grace and kindness. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 describes the purpose of God’s word, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
In last week’s podcast episode on Your Hope-Filled Perspective Podcast [How to Find Biblical Encouragement for Your Everyday Life – Episode 335], Dr. Michelle and I shared Biblical Encouragement through knowing the names of God, the promises of God, and stories of those who have gone before us. Today, we are going to share where discouragement comes from, how to overcome it, and how to encourage a discouraged heart.
Where Does Discouragement Come From?
Discouragement can show up in our lives through various angles. Unmet expectations, long term trials, spiritual warfare, and soul exhaustion are just a few. We can pray weeks or months for God to intervene in a situation, and we stand on the truth that he hears us. When he doesn’t act or move the way we want him too, we can experience disappointment which leads to disillusionment which contributes to a discouraged heart.
Our lives intersect with other people. Sometimes we make choices which harm relationships and, other times, the choices of other people splash mud all over us. We can grow discouraged when we have multiple interactions with someone who’s choices spill into our lives, creating tension or hurt. If our families bear burdens, our hearts grow discouraged because we can’t remove the trials from their lives.
I know God is faithful. I believe it with all my heart. But struggles in life—especially long-term difficulties—where I don’t see any relief, can cause my heart to doubt God’s faithfulness. We can grow weary. The heartache stays trapped inside, which contributes to exhaustion of our emotions, will, and actions. It can seem as though discouragement is more real than God’s faithfulness.
How Do We Overcome Discouragement?
The first step may seem obvious, but it’s one that can lead us into choices which further perpetuates the discouraged heart. Recognize it. There are times when we don’t want to admit we struggle. Maybe we feel like we’ll let someone down if we admit how we really feel. Other times, we may hold a false belief of “Christians shouldn’t be discouraged.” King David experienced discouragement as did Moses, Abraham, and Elijah. Discouragement is a normal response to the burdens we face. It’s how we respond to it that matters.
After we recognize and admit our discouraged heart, we can consider the ways which led to it. A little self-evaluation, with the help of the Holy Spirit can reveal whether we relied on other people rather than God to meet our needs. Or did we build our spiritual foundation on a false belief “If life is good, God must love me; if life is bad, what did I do wrong?”
Another step in overcoming a discouraged heart is to accept the different seasons of life, which includes discouragement, while understanding God uses it for his good purposes in our lives. Sometimes God calls us to rest. To take a nap. To create margin in our lives so we can spend a little extra time in his word. To cut the external and internal noise so we can hear his still small voice.
Third, we can lean on the body of Christ. Galatians 6:2 states, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” It’s far too easy to hide our pain behind smiles which don’t quite reach our eyes. How can we pray for one another if we don’t tell someone? It isn’t about spilling secrets. It’s admitting to one another, “I’m hurting and discouraged. Please pray.” We give each other a gift when we stop and pray. It’s a way to make the load we carry a little lighter.
How Do We Encourage Someone with a Discouraged Heart?
Compassion begins with seeing a need and ends with action. The action we take to encourage someone is through prayer, support, and listening. Listening is not advice-giving. Listening is not being prepared with a catchy Christian phrase. 1 Corinthians 12:26 reminds us, “When one member suffers, all suffer together; when one member is honored, all rejoice together.” If we want to be an encourager to the discouraged heart, we must be present enough to experience their pain and to suffer with them. This echoes Romans 12:15 where Paul writes, “Rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn.”
The discouraged heart does not seek pat answers from a half-hearted listener. They need someone who will step into their hurt and give them the gift of presence. We can be a safe place for them to share their discouragement and what happened to bring them so low. And then, we can hold their heart in confidence by refusing to share it with an outside party. A pot-stirrer is someone who keeps the contents of a pot moving. A good encourager slows the churning by their calm, trustworthy demeanor.
Finally, it is important to refrain from giving advice before the one with the discouraged heart is ready to hear it. We may have a similar experience and want to give them our wisdom. In the moment, though, it’s not about us, it’s about our friend and the pain she’s experiencing. Listen. Lean. And learn what her heart is really saying. Then, ask permission if you can speak wisdom and advice into her situation. She may be ready to hear it, or she may still need you to hold space while she processes her discouragement.
Your Hope Filled Perspective
Remember, a discouraged heart is not an uncommon experience. God’s word has encouragement for us. He reminds us of his constant presence, his steadfast love, and his heart for us. So many people have gone before us and knew the depths of despair. They also show us how to be encouraged when our hearts remain focused on God despite the discouragement we may feel.
Discouragement can creep in quietly or hit like a storm. God’s Word reminds us His presence and promises are greater than our despair. Share on X When your heart is weary, Scripture offers strength. God’s faithfulness never wavers, even when life feels dark. Hold on to His truth today. Share on X
About Rev. Jessica Van Roekel
Jessica Van Roekel is a worship leader, speaker, and writer who believes that through Jesus, personal histories don’t need to define the present or determine the future. She inspires, encourages, and equips others to look at life through the lenses of hope, trust, and God’s transforming grace. Jessica lives in rural Iowa surrounded by wide open spaces which remind her of God’s expansive love. She loves fun earrings, good coffee, and connecting with others.
Connect with Jessica: Website / Instagram / Facebook
