Is Discouragement a Sin?

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

“Discouragement is a sin!” There was a time in my life when I might have (would have) agreed with the person who said those words to me in recent weeks. Yet if anyone had a right to feel discouraged, it might have been this person who was going through; faith challenges, health challenges, employment challenges, financial challenges, and more. Do you get the point? There were legit challenges. Any one of them would have been enough to tilt an emotional scale towards a negative decline.

So why would discouragement be considered a sin in such times? Keep in mind that I too once adhered to similar thoughts. I am not throwing stones. I am just saddened for one who is frozen in pain by a rule to not process the negative. The rule is to stay in faith for anything not of faith is sin.

I agree. Anything not of faith is sin.

Here’s the disconnect for me. I no longer believe that negative emotions are indicative of a lack of faith. In fact, I believe emotions are a gift from God and are designed to help us draw near to God and not to hide from God.

Flip side, I do not believe that positive emotions are indicative of having faith. Being happy does not necessarily mean you are in faith. It might be that you are in denial (ouch). (Hold your horses if I just offended you. Please. Hear me out.)

There have been times in life when I was crushed, perplexed, disheartened, and afraid. My mind agonized in doubt, yet my heart was full of faith.

How is that possible? Can you really have utterly contradictory states at the same time? I believe so. To me, it’s not so much whether the emotion is negative or positive. It’s more about, What do I do with that emotion? Do I bring it to God honestly or do I pretend with Him? (Hang tight before you stop reading.)

Somehow the rule of, do not be led by emotions, got translated to, do not have emotions. I advocate a different view that being led by emotions is one thing. Acknowledging that I have emotions is another.

I think of King David who penned these words.

What time I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Psalm 56:3

This truth has gotten me through untold difficulty.

I would like to challenge you to reopen your old school Bible (not just a quote or an app on your phone). Read through the book of Psalms. Listen through crisis after crisis & victory after victory. The good, the bad, the ugly, and everything in between. It all got dealt with through an authentic honest relationship with God that provided a safe place in troubled times. Consider letting your heart rest in the joy and in the sorrows.

He is a God Who Cares for You. He always has. He always will.

I am including a vintage worship song that helps me during difficult seasons. I hope it helps you.

Love always,

Mary ♡