What is discouragement, what causes it, and how can we overcome it? In this message, Pastor Jamie Nunnally the third message in this series on Hope. 

Hope is confident, patient expectation that something good is going to happen.
Hopelessness leads to disappointment, discouragement, doubt and despair.
 
Discouragement is when you’ve lost your confidence & resolve, hope begins to fade, and inaction sets in.

Satan doesn’t have to kill you if he can just discourage you and make you quit.
 
What Causes Discouragement?
- When things are more difficult than you thought they'd be.
- When things are taking longer than you expected.
- When you’re listening to criticism.
- When you’re comparing yourself to others.
 
Defying Discouragement
Discouragement is a bully – you have to stand up to it and defy it. The solution to discouragement is encouragement. It can come from others but should come from yourself.
 
1. Remember who you are.
1 Samuel 17:45-48 “David replied to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! 47 And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!’ 48 As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him.
You will act like the person you think you are.”
 
2. Remember whose you are.
You belong to the Lord so invite Him into every situation.
Judges 6:12 “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.”
1 Samuel 30:6 “David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.”
Jonah 2:7 “When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord”
Nehemiah 4:14 "Don't be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!"
 
3. Don’t quit!
Hebrews 10:36 “Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.”
“Successful people do consistently what normal people do occasionally.” - Craig Groeschel
Galatians 6:9 “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap
a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”
 
Are you defying discouragement?