“Fighting Through A Season of Discouragement and Disappointment”

“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart [Be courageous]; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).

The Spiritual Purpose of Hardships: Christ sees us as His sheep who have individual needs, and He guides us according to the spiritual transformation required for each of us to have a righteous character necessary to receive our reward of Eternal Life.

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ ” (Hebrews 13:5, NIV).

Unfortunately 99% of our goals are usually materialistic ones. But our desires for prosperity and success always create opposition to God’s Sovereign Plans for our lives.

“Discouragement is also the Emotional Response to Placing too Much Value on Future.” We were created to live happy and healthy lives, which is not possible when we worry about the future.

Bible Study: Matthew 6:25-34: “Do Not Worry About Tomorrow”

In Matthew 6, Jesus tells us not to be concerned about tomorrow, which has a literal meaning of the next day, and the future. Neither tomorrow, or the future is promised to us. Live for today!

Jesus, our Heavenly Provider promised to give us the daily provisions necessary to sustain a healthy and happy life. The only futuristic goal we should prepare for is Jesus’ Second Coming [Revelation 22:12].

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2, NIV).

Because we inherited hearts that drive us to pursue what we want, Believers stand at the “Crossroads of Decision-making” when God fails to give us what we desire.

The Crossroads: Either we will choose to follow and obey God’s answer of “No, or Not Now,” or we will separate ourselves from God by pursuing our desires without His Divine Approval.

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” (1 John 3:1, ESV).

To clarify, God loves us and He does not want us to live miserable lives, still, He is doing everything possible to give us Eternal Life. Never forget, we are greatly loved by God!

Why do we strive against God’s will? Because we are impacted by our environment that promotes the worldview of Greed Over Need, we feel unloved and dissatisfied when God does not fulfill our desires.

I am sharing the following Notes on a Sermon by Pastor D. Snell: “Fighting Through Seasons of Discouragement [and Disappointment],” which gives Believers like you and me Spiritual Solutions to follow and obey God while navigating through be emotions of Discouragement and Disappointment.

“Discouragement can be like quicksand. Fight and stand down your natural responses so that you don’t make a bad situation worse.”

1. Don’t make big decisions. Do not make any decisions while you are in a state of mind of discouragement. Pray and wait for God to answer your prayer. Let God provide clarity.
2. Do not compare your life with someone else’s life. Redirect your focus to God, not to yourself, or other people.
3. Don’t Complain! Face the problems, but complaining will become a substitute for praying. Never let your complaining become stronger than your Prayer life.
4. Stop waiting on the circumstance to change, or end. We have no control over when our circumstances or seasons will change.
5. Change your attitude, your outlook and your focus. [Trust God Sovereignty! Know that He is making the best decisions for your life].
6. Stop waiting on outward validation and encouragement. David encouraged himself in the Lord. (1 Samuel 30:6).
7. Be selective about the company you keep. If friends or family cannot pray with you, do not share your personal feelings with them. (Luke 9:28). Jesus took Peter, James, and John, the most faithful disciples.
8. Guard the words you receive, and guard the words you express. David asked himself, “Why are you downcast, oh my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet Praise Him, My Savior and my God. (Psalm 42:11).
9. Ask yourself, “Who is in control?”

God has given us music which penetrates the mind, body, and soul. Listen to Praise and Worship music. Sing! Study the Bible, and  direct yourself to praise God!”

Faith, Trust, Prayer, and Bible Study invites the Holy Spirit to empower us to Fight Through A Season of Disappointment and Discouragement.

Every day, make the commitment to pray, and put yourself in God’s hands by giving up self-reliance. Turn to God for guidance. Ask for strength! Be patient and wait! Peace and Blessings.

Lord God, we admit that our faith and trust in You has been very unstable, and we ask for forgiveness for doubting your Love, and questioning Your Sovereign Authority. We realize that You love us. We made the decision to follow Jesus, and we will use our faith to trust and obey Your Perfect Plans. We pray for strength, and to hear Your Voice as we travel through this journey of life. We love You, and ask this prayer in the Righteous Name of Jesus, Amen.

© 2025 STEPS 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions Ministry