Being discouraged spiritually is something all believers encounter this at one time or another. You can almost feel the sorrow of heart when you read the testimonies of Godβs men of the past. David wrote: βI had faintedβ¦β (Psa. 27:13), Jeremiah said: βWhen I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in meβ (Jer. 8:18), and Jonah said: ββ¦my soul fainted within meβ (Jonah 2:7). They were so discouraged and spiritually weakened that they simply felt like giving up. Thankfully, these servants of God did not give up, and there is much to learn from what carried them through.
Jonah relates to us how he found the strength to carry on: βI rememberedΒ the LORD: and my prayer came in unto Thee, into Thine holy templeβ (JonahΒ 2:7). Coupled with obedience to Godβs will, his discouragement turned whenΒ he stayed his mind on the Lord in prayer. Similarly, Isaiah proclaims: βBut theyΒ that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strengthβ¦they shall run, and notΒ be weary; and they shall walk, and not faintβ (Isaiah 40:31). As you can see,Β Isaiah also found it helpful to focus his thoughts on the Lord through prayer.
The Apostle Paul had opposition from without and from within the companyΒ of believers, and had much to be discouraged about, but he didnβt quit. HisΒ testimony was: βseeing we have this ministryβ¦we faint notβ (II Cor. 4:1).Β He kept his heart focused on serving the Savior, with Galatians 6:9 in mind:Β βAnd let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if weΒ faint not.β Simply put, heaven and reward from the Savior strengthened theΒ resolve of this servant. It can for us too.
Are you discouraged spiritually? Donβt quit! Pray, focus on the importanceΒ of serving Christ, and rejoice in future reward (1 Cor. 3:14)! source
