Have you ever been tempted with overwhelming discouragement as you faced a daunting task by yourself? I know I have. In one situation, I had a time limit on when my task at home needed to be done, and I thought it was something I needed to do by myself. The size of the task was intimidating, and I didn’t know where to start or how to get it done. As I was sinking deeper into my discouragement, two believers called and asked, “Do you need any help?” Even though I said no, they came over anyway with an excitement for accomplishing the task! We prayed before we began, made a plan, shared the Word as we worked, and laughed and had fun together as we accomplished my goal. These two people turned my discouragement into joy. Though my task was really a small thing, the discouragement the adversary was trying to put on me was no small thing! And these believers helped me to resist and defeat that discouragement.
John 10:10:
The thief [the adversary, the Devil] cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I [Jesus Christ] am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
We have an adversary whose objectives are stealing, killing, and destroying. He readily distributes defeat and discouragement. However, Jesus Christ came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. Claiming the abundant life and resisting discouragement can be a difficult task without the help and support of one another. Thankfully, by strengthening and encouraging one another—by way of God’s Word, prayer, and helping one another reach our goals—we can resist discouragement and stand for God.
To resist discouragement and stand for God, we encourage one another first and foremost with the Word of God. The truth of God’s Word is the definitive answer to all of life’s troubles. Reminding one another of the truth of God’s Word helps us to focus on all that God has made available to us.
Psalms 107:20:
He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
God sent His Word to heal us and to deliver us from our destructions. The truth of God’s Word is the healing element in every struggle. To be delivered from the enemy’s discouragement, we work together to keep bringing our thoughts and focus to God’s healing Word. As we share the truth of God’s Word with each other, we strengthen and encourage each other to stand for God.
Another way we can help one another to resist discouragement and stand for God is with prayer. Praying together is a powerful way to strengthen and comfort one another.
Matthew 18:19:
Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
When we pray together, we can encourage each other to continue believing for the desired result. Having the added believing and encouragement of a like-minded brother or sister in Christ strengthens our stand for God.
We can also aid each other in resisting discouragement by helping one another reach a goal that seems overwhelming when faced alone. Reaching goals is encouraging, and working with another believer to defeat discouragement from the adversary is rewarding.
Ecclesiastes 4:9,10:
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
God promises that when we give (including giving encouragement), we will be blessed back.
Luke 6:38:
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
The rewarding aspects of reaching goals together give us encouragement, allowing us to stand for God.
Together, we can stand strong for God against the enemy’s discouragement. Speaking the truth of God’s Word to one another builds strength by allowing us to focus on all that God has made available. Praying adds strength and encouragement as we believe together for desired results. Working together to reach goals gives us encouragement as we support each other, and this is very rewarding. We can be strengthened and encouraged as we resist the adversary’s discouragement and together stand for God.