Despondency — Five Encouraging Truths For The Despondent
Hope… Anchored In The Promises Of God (pt.4)
Pastor Kent
May 17, 2020

Despondency — Five Encouraging Truths For The Despondent

Series Big Idea: The antidote to hopelessness is to put our Hope in Jesus Christ as an anchor for our soul to keep us grounded and safe in the storms of Life.


Despondent Defined: In low spirits from loss of hope or courage.


Big Idea: The antidote to despondency is encouragement which is the byproduct of growing obedience and love.


Relationship of Hope to Despondency: Hope is lost when those things we look to for Satisfaction, Security, Happiness, Fulfillment or Purpose; are taken from us, or disappoint us or Fail us completely. This resulting emotional state is called despondency.


When Life Circumstances Disappoint us, it makes us SAD
Discouraged>
Defeated;>
DESPONDENT>
Drained>
Demotivated>
Depressed>
Desperate>
Suicidal

5 Encouraging Truths for The Despondent

  1. Jesus Is Aware of Your Situation and He Cares

    “After these things Jesus manifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and He manifested Himself in this way.”
    —John‬ 21:1‬

    Principle When I’m Despondent Jesus is there for me

  2. Despondency Can Drift into Disobedience That Creates Greater Despondency

    “Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will also come with you.” They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing.”‬ ‬‬‬‬
    —John‬ 21:2-3‬

    Principle: Anything done apart from Jesus Christ ends in failure which in turn intensifies my despondency. “Caught No Fish”


    Four Things We Are Prone to Do Apart from God… That Usually Ends Badly

    1. Our Work or Job. James 5:15 “Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”
    2. Solve Relational Conflicts; James 1:20 “The anger of man does not accomplish the righteousness of God”
    3. Set goals – Psalm 37:5-6 “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.”
    4. Handle Injustice and Anger – Romans 12:19 “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God…”


      “Apart from me you can do nothing.”‬ ‬‬‬‬
      —John 15:5 ‬

  3. Jesus Is Working to Relieve Your Despondency Even Though You Don’t See It

    “But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.”‬ ‬‬‬‬
    —John‬ 21:4


    “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”‬ ‬‬‬‬
    —Romans 8:28


    Principle: Just because I cannot see Jesus working, it does not mean He is not working for me. Things are never what they appear to be on the surface.

  4. Obedience Brings Us Blessings That Increase Our Encouragement and Diminishes Our Despondency

    “So Jesus said to them, “Children, you do not have any fish, do you?” They answered Him, “No.” And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch.” So, they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish. Therefore, that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” So, when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work) and threw himself into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish.‬‬‬. So, when they got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire already laid and fish placed on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have now caught.” Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn.”‬ ‬ ‬‬‬‬
    —John‬ 21: 5-11

    Principle: Obedience restores God’s blessing and brings me encouragement.

  5. Encouragement Restores Hope and Deepens Our Appreciation and Fellowship with Jesus

    “Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples ventured to question Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead.”‬ ‬ ‬‬‬‬
    —John 21:12-14

    Principle: Hope renewed relieves my despondency and results in a deeper love relationship with Jesus Christ.


    Final Thoughts: Life under quarantine is difficult, every day that goes by it gets harder. This can be very discouraging and over a long period of time if we are not careful it will lead us into despondency or even worse.

    As we wait for the reopening of our state and our release from this quarantine let us do so by reminding ourselves of these five encouraging spiritual truths rooted in our personal relationship with Jesus Christ

    1. Jesus Is Aware of Your Situation and He Cares
    2. Despondency Can Drift into Disobedience That Creates Greater Despondency
    3. Jesus Is Working to Relieve Your Despondency Even Though You Don’t See It
    4. Obedience Brings Us Blessings That Increase Our Encouragement and Diminishes Our Despondency
    5. Encouragement Restores Hope and Deepens Our Appreciation and Fellowship with Jesus