DISCOURAGEMENT

To be deprived of courage or confidence

Scriptures discussing sources of discouragement:

Psalm 119:53 “Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.”

Numbers 21:4b “and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.”

Proverbs 13:12 “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but [when] the desire cometh, [it is] a tree of life.”

Psalm 119:158 I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.

Psalm 6:7 Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies.

Overcoming discouragement by:
The discouraged can be comforted by the Holy Spirit.
John 14:15-18 Obedience and the comfort of His presence go hand in hand.
Recognize that the path traveled “leadeth to life”. (Matthew 7:14)
John 10:10b “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
Psalm 16:11 “At thy right hand there are pleasures for ever more.“
Living a life honoring to God does not earn us eternal life, but we are promised abundant living.
Refocus on what God Word says regarding “the way”.
Psalm 37:23-24 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighted in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord uphold him with his hand.”
Focusing on the attributes of God will deliver us from discouragement
Psalm 13:5 Mercy; Psalm 11:7 Righteous; Psalm 27:13, 33:5 Good: Psalm 31:21 Kind;
By seeking to meet the needs of others our discouragement can be helped.
Job 42:10 “And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends;

DISCIPLINE

Parents are commanded to discipline and train the children entrusted to them. It is not optional.
Proverbs 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
Proverbs 22:15 Foolishness [is] bound in the heart of a child; [but] the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
Proverbs 22:13 Withhold not correction from the child:
Proverbs 29:15, 17 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother shame. Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
The chastening of the Lord is God the Father lovingly training and molding us, His children, into Christ’s image.(notice the relation between love and discipline.)
Hebrews 12:6, 11 (read verses 5b-11) For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
Proverbs 3:12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son [in whom] he delighteth.
God’s Word teaches us proper responses to discipline.
Proverbs 10:17 He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.
Results from not heeding instruction are discussed in God’s Word.
Proverbs 29:1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
God’s word offers us comparison and contrast for those who do and do not heed instruction, discipline and reproof.
Proverbs 10:17He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.
As wise children of God we ought to become self-disciplined in
our daily walk.
James 4:17 Him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not to him it is sin.

DISCERNMENT

To perceive or recognize clearly

I Kings 3:9 (read 7-14) Solomon seeks wisdom and discernment above riches.
Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people
Proverbs 21:29
A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 10:13
In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod [is] for the back of him that is void of understanding.

Scriptures relating to the Holy Spirit’s involvement in guiding us and giving us discernment…
Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
By virtue of His name being Holy, it makes sense that He will lead us to be holy in our discernment.
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:
Psalm 107:7 (read 6- 11) And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
Psalm 25:9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
Psalm 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
II Thess 4:5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
Psalm 18:30, 32 As for God , His way is perfect…..He maketh my way perfect.

Moses prayed and let it be our prayer, Exodus 33:13 “if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight:"