3 Bible Verses for When You're Feeling Discouraged

July 14, 2022 Aaron Joseph Hall

By Aaron Joseph Hall

If you are reading this article chances are you're looking for Bible verses for when you’re feeling discouraged. We've all felt discouraged at times, drained or flat-out exhausted and alone. For some, it may be more frequent because life is throwing you more curveballs than you ever expected. They always come out of nowhere and can make you feel discouraged when things don't go the way that you hoped.

For me, discouragement is not something that just goes away because I tell it to. It’s a real struggle that is mostly a mixture of discontentment and other emotions. Usually triggered by outside factors beyond my control. Either way, discouragement robs us of our joy, and focus, and derails our passion for the things that truly matter in life.

At least, that’s been my experience.

In this short article, I don’t want to babble on and on about my own struggle with discouragement, but rather I want to share with you 3 Bible verses that I go to often when I find myself discouraged.

I believe they will help turn your discouragement into encouragement!

Bible Verses For When You’re Feeling Discouraged

The following verses are perfect to meditate on and memorize when you’re feeling discouraged. I want to challenge you to pull out your journal and handwrite these to help you memorize them. It’s something you won’t regret doing, I promise.

Isaiah 41:10, “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

There have been many moments before going up to preach that I find myself facing the giant of discouragement. Isaiah 41:10 has become a go-to verse for me that God has used to encourage me in those moments.

I don’t need to fear or be dismayed, because I’m discouraged that I may not be as good of a preacher as “the other guy” and I don’t have to rely on my own strength. This verse reminds me where my supply flows from…it’s from Him! Knowing He upholds me, encourages me in those moments.

Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

When I find myself in a place of complete exhaustion, I’m easily discouraged by almost anything! When I go, go, go, and do, do, do, and don’t just rest in the Lord’s presence, I find myself easily becoming discouraged when life doesn’t go my way or when I start to compare what I have to others and realize others may have more. It is then discouragement begins to rise.

But…Matthew 11:28 is a reminder to me that when I feel “heavy laden” and discouragement begins to surface, I can go to the Lord and find true, deep soul rest. And that lifts my spirit more than anything else ever will!

2 Corinthians 5:7, “for we walk by faith, not by sight.”

One truth that has always helped me put the nail into discouragement is reminding myself I don’t walk by sight, but by faith! I have come to realize that although others may have more than I do in this life, my inheritance is not in this world.

Nothing this world gives me compares to what I have in Jesus Christ. I may not “see” all that I have in Christ but by “faith” I know I have it and the Lord constantly reminds me there is more to life than what we can see with the naked eye.

The Bible is full of Scriptures that can help you if you battle discouragement as I do. You’re not alone in the struggle. The enemy uses discouragement to attack many, but when we stand on the truth of God’s Word, we will be encouraged by who Jesus is, what He’s done for us, and what we have in Him as His son or daughter. Today, if you are struggling with discouragement write these three Bible verses down, memorize them, and ask the Lord to speak directly to your heart.

What Things Can Cause Discouragement?

It’s no secret that life can be hard, right? Many things in life can cause us to experience a wave of discouragement. Several common factors that can cause discouragement include, but are not limited to:

Setbacks and Failures: We’ve all had them, right? At some point or another have experienced a setback or failure. Some more than others. Experiencing these can easily trigger feelings of discouragement and make us feel less than.
Comparison: Constantly comparing ourselves to others, especially in the age of social media where highlight reels are prevalent, can fuel feelings of inadequacy and discontentment. It’s so easy for me to find myself battling the ugliness of comparison when scrolling Instagram. Seeing others seemingly succeed or have what we desire can lead to a sense of failure or unworthiness.
Unmet Expectations: When our expectations aren't met, whether in relationships, career aspirations, or personal goals, it can lead to disillusionment and discouragement. This happens all too often! Unrealistic expectations can leave us feeling defeated and disheartened. They can kill morale and motivation!
Stress and Overwhelm: Dealing with excessive stress, overwhelming responsibilities, or demanding situations can drain our energy and resilience, making us more susceptible to feelings of discouragement. This is where I have been before…too busy and thus becoming stressed and overwhelmed. Feeling constantly overwhelmed can make it challenging to stay positive and motivated.
Lack of Support: Feeling unsupported or misunderstood by friends, family, or colleagues can exacerbate feelings of isolation and discouragement. It’s like pouring fuel on a fire. Not having a reliable support system in place can make challenges feel even more daunting.
Health Challenges: Dealing with health issues, whether physical or mental, can significantly impact our well-being and outlook on life. Chronic illness, pain, or mental health struggles can wear us down emotionally, leading to feelings of hopelessness and discouragement.
Financial Strain: Facing financial difficulties, such as debt, job loss, or economic instability, can create a sense of despair and uncertainty about the future. Worrying about finances can easily discourage me from wanting to do much of anything. Struggling to make ends meet or feeling trapped in a cycle of financial hardship can take a toll on our mental and emotional well-being.

Recognizing these potential triggers for discouragement can help us navigate through challenging times with greater resilience and self-awareness. By identifying the underlying causes of our discouragement, we can take steps to address them and cultivate a mindset of hope and perseverance. I want to face discouragement knowing I’m not alone and knowing different triggers can help me avoid pitfalls down the road.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Bible offers hope and encouragement to those facing discouragement. It reminds us that God is our strength and refuge in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1). The Bible says we should cast our anxieties on God because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). It also promises that God will never leave or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6). When we're discouraged, the Bible urges us to find strength in the Lord and His mighty power (Ephesians 6:10). Through prayer and trusting in God's promises, we can overcome discouragement.

To end with, here are more Bible verses when feeling discouraged:

Psalm 34:17-18 - "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
Isaiah 41:10 - "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Joshua 1:9 - "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
Romans 8:31 - "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 - "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
Psalm 40:1-3 - "I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him."

These verses serve as a reminder of God's presence, His promises, and His faithfulness even in the midst of discouragement. Take comfort in His words and let them strengthen you during difficult times.

Aaron Joseph Hall, the writer behind AaronJosephHall.com and the youth pastor at More 2 Life Ministries, resides in Okeechobee, Florida, with his wife and four children. You can connect with him on Instagram and X.