October 12, 2020
5 Scriptures for When You Feel Discouraged
Scriptures can give us strength in difficult times.
Let’s be honest, 2020 has been a difficult year for many of us. Then, you add school and homework and tests on top of that, and it can be easy to feel tired or discouraged, uncertain or disappointed. But these emotions are the thieves of joy and progress. As we remember our Savior and the blessings He has promised in the scriptures, we can see our divine worth and receive help during these challenging times.
Elder Richard G. Scott shared, “Scriptures can calm an agitated soul, giving peace, hope, and a restoration of confidence in one’s ability to overcome the challenges of life.”1 Through scripture, Heavenly Father offers us these blessings, as well as inspiration and encouragement. Here are five scriptures that illustrate His love for us.
God is always listening
“Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am” (Isaiah 58:9).
We can have constant, instantaneous communication with Heavenly Father, who is always available to us. He is always listening. To receive comfort and guidance from our Father, we simply need to reach out to Him — through prayer, scripture study, or by inviting the Spirit into our lives.
Our burdens will be lifted
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Sometimes in courses, we work hard on assignments, study earnestly for exams, and still don’t get the grade we want. Or, in the midst of school, we have other heavy burdens to carry. This can be rightfully difficult and disappointing, but Heavenly Father offers peace as we exercise faith in His plan for us (in His own timing and way), continue to work hard, and pray to Him.
We are never alone
“Be strong and of a good courage.”
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:9).
When we experience challenges, it’s natural to feel alone in our suffering — but that’s not the case! Heavenly Father is always with us, wherever we are. And His Son, our Savior, went through the Atonement so He could understand us and our trials perfectly, so we need never feel alone. When we feel stress or worry, we can turn to the gospel for guidance and strength in order to tackle our troubles with faith.
God will support us
“For I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day”(Alma 36:3).
Wanting to put all our trust in Heavenly Father can be a hard thing to do when we experience setbacks, especially when we can’t see the outcome. But we can have confidence that God will support us in our trials and afflictions. When we trust in Him, we will be blessed.
Receiving peace with faith
“Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him” (1 Nephi 7:12).
Scriptures can restore our confidence.
Holding onto our faith during challenging times can bring us peace. God has said that He can do all things if we exercise faith in Him, which includes offering us comfort during fearful or discouraging events in our lives. As we study the scriptures and pray to our Heavenly Father, our faith can become strong and we will have greater strength to overcome our challenges.
The power of scripture
Challenges are an integral part of life. But Heavenly Father has given us several defenses we need to come out on top, including the scriptures. It’s His way to communicate with us and give us rest from our hardships. When we study scriptures daily, God can provide guidance and comfort.
As Elder Richard G. Scott said, they can restore our confidence and offer peace and hope to our souls.
What scripture(s) do you read when you feel discouraged? Share in the comments below!
Comments on "5 Scriptures for When You Feel Discouraged"
Thanks for sharing these wonderful scriptures — they really are so inspiring. Two of my favorite scriptures to study and ponder upon during difficult and trying times are Alma 7:11-12 — the Savior is a perfect example to follow and endure and overcome as he did — and D&C 104:15 — the Lord declared that it is his purpose to provide for his saints. In other words, it is also his purpose to comfort, strengthen, and protect his saints at even during difficult times.
I don’t know more to say, because these scriptures are very inspired and enlightened my mind. When we face many challenges we have to trust in Christ, and try our best to respect his commandments — always be ready to follow him and take courage in many situations.
ALMA 26:27, “Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.”
Dear students of BYU-Pathway: let us take courage and strive to endure to the end, and we will have success.
I love Isaiah 40:31. With everything that has happened in my life, this verse has kept me going.
Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
This is so encouraging! The scriptures that l love most are found in Proverbs 3:4-5. It teaches me to trust the Lord always and let Him guide my way.
Thanks so much for this wonderful moment of shared the scriptures a part of me I fond so much alma 5:1-62, its teaches about this important message into my life that, to gain salvation, men must repent and keep the commandments, be born again, cleanse their garments through the blood of Christ, be humble and strip themselves from pride and envy, and do the works of righteousness …
Thank you so much for posting this! These scriptures were exactly what I needed to hear this week. One of my favorites is Matthew 14:27, which says, “… Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.” I imagine the Savior telling me to be happy in my current circumstances, and remember in whom I trust — Jesus Christ. Sometimes, I just need to be reminded that He is there and He is listening.
Thank you for posting these scripture, it really helps me these days, as a mother and a self employed wife and a student in pathway, seems my time is not enough making all the important things to do each day, I arranged my schedules, prayed it that I could make it, but seems I felt like I didn’t make it all, but as I read these 5 scriptures today I was recharged, inspired and I feel everything will be alright, it encouraged me to do all my best and the things that I cannot do God will do it for me and take care of the rest and refuel my faith to face this day with full of confidence and trust to Him. Thank you so much for its perfect timing in posting these scripture.
Thank you for that encouragement and focusing me on the guidance of the Scriptures, when I’m low i like reflecting on scriptures for strength and guidance among the scripture is Psalm 37:23’The steps of a good man are ordered by God and he delighteth in his ways The scripture improve on the relationship with our Heavenly Father so that i can be directed ‘by the spirit to enable me overcome temptation.
Thank you so much! I feel very encouraged. I was feeling so low, but now l feel uplifted. May our Almighty God bless us. My favorite verse is Matthew 7:7, “Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened into you.”
Thanks for this post. As Elder Richard G. Scott said, “Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high.” When we study the scriptures daily, God help us in our daily works.
Thank you for this post. My life is really challenging right now between work and my studies. I love the scripture Philippians 4:3 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” With this scripture and my faith in Him, I can always be strong to face all the obstacles in my life while growing my faith and testimony. I’m so blessed — He always answer my prayers and provides everything I need the most in my difficulties. I’m so grateful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Knowing Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer, I have nothing to fear so long as I choose the right and don’t do anything wrong. Being a student in BYU-Pathway is another blessing, but it comes with challenges I need to overcome. I believe I can do it to pursue my goals for my future. With His guidance through the Holy Spirit to become a better person, love one another and help one another, I find a lot of joy and happiness in my daily life. Thank you so much BYU-Pathway and Heavenly Father — who will always be with me.
Thanks for this encouragement. My favorite scripture is Alma 37:37, “Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and He will direct thee for good…”
My service missionary shared this with us in messenger, and I am so grateful that I followed the promptings of the spirit to read this article. The verse in the scriptures that really gives me strength in times of difficulty and discouragement is Alma 7:11-12:
“11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
12 And he will take upon him death, that he may bloose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.”
I love that He is willing to give His own life just for us — that He knows how to succor us when we are in difficult times and feel like giving up. I firmly and strongly believe that the Lord will not suffer us to be tempted and tested beyond our spiritual capacity. He knows us, and He knows what we’re going through. I know that He will help us and never leave us alone as we call upon His name, rely on His saving power and His infinite atonement. As we keep His commandments with all diligence and willingness of our hearts, we show our love to Him as He express His love for us in so many ways. He is always there for us. I love the word of God so much.
I like to read Helaman 5:12 when have challenging days. This passage touched me because I know Christ is my rock and salvation. As I read, I trust that I can overcome all the things I worry about.
I needed these scriptures this week because I have been worried about many challenges that make me feel weary. Thanks for this post.
Thanks for this post! I was needing these scriptures…
One that I love to remember during difficult times is D&C 58:2-4. It says: “For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my commandments, whether in life or in death; and he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven. Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation. For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand.”
I know that God loves us, and He wants to bless us, but we have to remember that it is through trials and adversity that we’re able to become more like Him. Enduring is not easy, but it worth the effort, at the end we will know that everything did worth it, and the Lord will bestow upon us the best blessings He can give us because we will be prepared.
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