The Cure For Discouragement

Have you ever battled with discouragement? I HAVE!!! I’ll be the first one in line to admit it. Some days are a struggle when it comes to having pep in my step and firmly believing.

I think we can probably all relate to this. It’s hard to find your way out of that pit some days.

I think it’s really cool that God offers stories in his word. Stories that give us lowkey solutions to problems. He doesn’t just blatantly say, “THIS IS THE PASSAGE OF HOW TO DEAL WITH DISCOURAGEMENT” in his big booming God voice.

Instead, he gives us a story and makes us find the moral of it ourselves, just like big boys and girls.

The other day I was reading in 1 Samuel. I read the first chapter and I stumbled upon the following things which I thought were super interesting and I just had to share….

STORY TIME.

The first chapter of this book is the story of Hannah who was married to Elkanah. He had another wife named Peninnah. These names are wild right? And it’s weird that he has two wives but whatever.

Peninnah had children and Hannah did not. Hannah wanted children so bad and long story short Peninnah would harass her about it. Sounds like drama! And people say the bible isn’t interesting.

Once a year they would go to the same place called Shiloh, to worship God, etc., etc.,

They were sitting down for a meal when Hannah was discouraged and she left the group and this is what the bible says happens…

1 Samuel 1:10-18 English Standard Version (ESV)
10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. 11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”
12 As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. 14 And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” 15 But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. 16 Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.” 17 Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” 18 And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

The biggest take away from this passage (apart from the weird hair vow) being that she left that situation and prayer time no longer discouraged.

I think there is an antidote for discouragement in this passage.

The change in Hannah’s heart and attitude might be attributed to three things…

1. Her honest prayer to God (1:10-11)
2. Her resolve to leave the problem with God (1:18)
3. The encouragement she received from Eli (1:7)

Together, these factors make up the antidote for discouragement.

When you feel discouraged, remember this antidote and change your attitude. Take that discouragement. BAM. The end.