Discouragement | 8 Principles We Can Learn from Paul

How should we deal with discouragement and depression as believers?

The Lord has encouraging words for those who are struggling. In this episode, Brody walks through discouragement in the life of Paul and 8 principles we can learn from it. The darkness of sin and this fallen world will sometimes wear us down. 

When we’re in these seasons, we need to be looking to Christ and find strength in his Word. God is with you. Let’s fight for our joy and peace when we’re in the midst of hardships.

• Acts 17-18
• Lamentations 3:21-26

Paul and Discouragement – 8 Principles From Acts 18

1. God will often use our hardships, experiences and difficulties to encourage others or help them through hard times.

Acts 18: 1-3

2. Don’t sit around. Do something productive.

Acts 18:3

3. The most faithful thing you and I can do is to preach Jesus to others.

Acts 18:4

4. Discouragement often comes on the heels of a great move of God.

Acts 18:8-9

5. The darkness of sin and the world will sometimes wear you down, weary you and discourage you. 

6. The Lord is with you, will never leave you, and will give you strength and courage. 

Acts 18:9-10

7. I need fellowship. 

I need the body of Christ, the Church. I need my church. I need old friends and new friends and a common mission. I need people who can identify with me in my struggle and where I have been, and what I may be going through. But more than anything…

8. I need a word from the Lord. 

Acts 18:9-10

This is the most important thing for me, day-to-day, the Lord has given me his Word and it will sustain me.

The Word of God is living and active and is the two edged sword that the Holy Spirit will use in my life to drive out sin and temptation and conquer enemy territory. It is bread from heaven; it is meat for the muscle of my spiritual life. It is a cool breeze to a fevered spirit and is like cool water to a parched soul. The Word of God is a powerful weapon in the war on sin. Satan runs from the Word of God, I am in emboldened by Word of God, and the warring angels of God’s throne never let God’s Word leave their lips. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our Lord stands forever. The Word of the Lord is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

The Word of the Lord, hidden in my heart, will keep me from sin.

God’s Word is profitable and useful in my life for reproof, for rebuke, for correction and instruction in righteousness. It is by the Word of the Lord that the oceans were laid out and the mountains were stood. God’s Word was given to prophets to save nations, rebuke kings, and bring hope and comfort to the poor, destitute and the widow and orphan.

By his Words, Jesus cast out demons, rebuked hypocrites, healed lepers, forgave sin and brought Hope to the sick and dying. God‘s Word is completely sufficient, fully authoritative, and is to be wrestled with but never negotiated with or compromised. God’s Word has been given to me for life and godliness, for healing and comfort, and to invigorate and strengthen me in the day of trouble. God’s Word may be the still small voice after the storm, and it is sometimes the thunder from heaven. But to be sure, it is the Word of God that will sustain me, insulate me from the cold and darkness of this world, bring oxygen to my spiritual lungs and freedom to my enslaved thoughts.

The Word of the Lord is for now, and it is forever and it is critical that in it I find new mercies every day, strength to stand, wisdom for life and the sustaining power that God has promised me. The Word of God, in a Word, brings hope. 

I find it to be true that when I i’m losing the battle with my flesh, having a negative attitude, not loving my spouse and children well and serving others like Christ would have me serve them, that I have neglected the Word of God. Perhaps I have read it, but likely I have not meditated on it and surrendered to it and worshipped God for it.

Listen to this beautiful word from Lamentations 3:21-36:

21 But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: 

22 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 

23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 

24 “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” 

25 The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. 

26 It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.