Let's Go Back to the Bible

Do Not Lose Heart

It is within the realm of possibilities for Christians to get discouraged. Godly people throughout the Bible have struggled with living in a corrupt world. As we seek to live in accordance with a standard that elevates our living and raises our spiritual focus heavenward, there will be conflict. In that conflict, the fervor of our resolve is tested. Conflicts come through others, physical ailments, and random acts of chance. It is not “if” you will ever be discouraged, but “when.” What can we do to prepare ourselves so that we do not go down even to despair?

We need to start with an active prayer life. Christ equated fervent prayer with not losing heart (Luke 18:1). Most often, the first sign of losing heart is being haphazard in our prayer life. We fall out of habits, or we allow other circumstances to distract. In contrast, a strong Christian life is characterized by fervent prayer. “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” (Eph. 6:18). “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving” (Col. 4:2).

Another deterrent to losing heart is being active in doing good. “For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Gal. 6:8-9). If we can keep our focus outward on the work at hand, it keeps our minds moving forward. We are preparing for a spiritual reward. It is to that end that we should be striving. Even Christ “for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2).

Finally, we need to recognize that the things of this life are temporary. “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:16-18). In doing this, we keep a perspective that buffers our hearts and minds from being overwhelmed. This “light affliction,” Paul says, is nothing to compare with the “eternal weight of glory” that is provided for us.

How do we buffer ourselves from losing heart? Keep an active prayer life, continue in doing good to all men, and maintain the proper perspective on life. These are a few among many things that help hedge against losing heart.