Bible Text: 1 Samuel 27:1-12 | Preacher: Rev. Dr. Lou Saldiveri | Series: Sunday Morning Worship | Intro: We all at one time or another have experienced occasional discouragement. Discouragement is a loss of confidence which could easily lead to despondency if we are not careful. Have you ever been there? I want to suggest to you that after more than seven years on the run from king Saul, David was quickly becoming discouraged.

In this passage, God shows us, through David’s life, how discouragement can lead us to make bad decisions which result from a loss of confidence in God and His Word.

Discouragement Can Lead to Doubt v.1-4
Disregard for God’s Word and Assurances
Does God mean what He says?
Is what God says true?
Disregard for God’s timing
God is too slow to answer
I need to take control
Disregard for God’s plan
Does God really have a plan for me?
He doesn’t give me a detailed plan
Discouragement Can Lead to Deceit v. 5-12
Looking for help in all the wrong places/people
Denial of the truth
Replacing truth with lies
Discouragement Can Lead to Despondency
Feeling Alone
Feeling Hopeless
What and Who Can Help Us Work Through Discouragement?
Acknowledge your feelings
Don’t bury them or ignore them.
Read and Reread God’s great promises
Pray them back to God
Let God speak to you
Let God reaffirm His unconditional love for you
Replace lies you believe with God’s truth
Ask the Holy Spirit to give you both the desire and power to live in God’s promises
Talk it through with a godly friend, pastor, or a professional counselor
Make time each day and perhaps several times a time to slow down and spend time with God

Closing: So, if you and I are experiencing some discouragement today, we need to be aware of how destructive it can be if we leave it unchecked. God will lead us through discouragement to encouragement if we are willing to yield to Him and Him work on us from the inside out. If we are guilty of any of the tendencies that David showed in his discouragement, we need to own them, confess them, repent of them, and ask the Holy Spirit to help us trust God in a deeper way.