Who among us has not experienced discouragement? If we were all honest, we would readily admit it. Ministry, with all its joys, also comes with seasons of deep discouragement. Over the years, I have discovered several keys that have helped me navigate these difficult moments.
As a pastor, I have preached through some of the darkest seasons of my life—still smiling, still serving—while many around me had no idea what I was enduring. I have learned to master discouragement, and for this, I give all thanks to the blessed Holy Spirit, my Comforter and greatest source of encouragement.
Let me share with you some life-giving keys to overcoming discouragement in ministry.
1. Ask Yourself: Why?
Discouragement always has a root. There is always a cause—something that triggered your disappointment or drained your strength. Was it a lack of appreciation? A financial burden? A broken expectation?
The psalmist asked in Psalm 42:5 (NKJV):
“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, for the help of His countenance.”
Another translation renders “cast down” as “bowed down.” When we isolate the actual issue, we stop making blanket judgments that can cloud our hearts. Clarity empowers us to respond rather than react. So, the first step to overcoming discouragement is asking yourself honestly: Why am I discouraged?
2. Discover the Truth About the Situation
The truth is not your feelings. The truth is what God says in His Word about your situation. One powerful truth that continues to liberate me is this: God called me for Himself first, not for people.
His presence should excite me more than the presence of crowds, and His absence should grieve me more than people’s absence.
Mark 3:14 says:
“Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach.”
Before sending them out, Jesus called the disciples to be with Him.
Spending time in God’s Word and in prayer has become the wellspring of my encouragement. His presence brings me joy; everything else is secondary. So ask yourself: What is God’s truth about my situation? Find that truth, and watch discouragement begin to lose its grip on your heart.
3. Have a Heart-to-Heart with a Confidant
There are a few trusted people in my life with whom I can have honest, vulnerable conversations. My wife is my first confidant. In ministry, I also have spiritual fathers and elders who have walked through and overcome similar struggles.
Talking with them always lightens my heart. Peer-to-peer conversations are equally helpful—they remind us that we are not alone in our struggles.
Lastly, I’ve discovered a divine mystery: When I choose to encourage others during my own discouragement, my own spirit is lifted. The very words I speak to uplift someone else come back to encourage me.
As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 1:4:
“God comforts us in all our tribulation, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the same comfort we ourselves have received from Him.”
There is supernatural power in shared comfort. Your healing often begins when you extend hope to someone else.
What I’ve shared here is deeply personal and precious to me. My prayer is that, as you read, the weight of discouragement will begin to lift from your heart. May the Holy Spirit—your Comforter and Helper—strengthen you afresh.
The Lord bless you and keep you,
Elias Mchogori
Your healing comes when you extend hope to someone else!.Wow that’s deep😊
Amen, thank you Jane.
This is profound. That God called me first to Himself and not for people. I do ministry unto God and not unto men.
Amen, thank you Janet.
Thank you for sharing this very insightful and practical guide. I’m encouraged to always stand on the truth in God’s Word and to remember that God has called me to Himself first before the crowd.
God bless you Pst. Elias
Amen, thank you Evelyne.
Powerful and encouraging message,🙏🙏
Amen, thank you Morris.
Thank you pastor Elias for this insightful article.
It is true we have experienced discouragement in many facets of life including our faith (and our service in the kingdom). I may add that the discouragement is part of the spiritual aimed at stopping from serving.
Thank you, sharing scriptures to encourage any person experiencing discouragement.
Amen, thank you Patrick