Have you ever been discouraged in your life? Perhaps everything just seems to be going wrong! And you're feeling lonely and discouraged.

Where can I find the courage to face whatever the day may bring, to face my friends, family or work colleagues being a true witness for Christ?

Lets take a look at the Bible.

Psalms 42:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me?

Why are we disquieted (or disturbed)? Why do we feel down or discouraged? Is there really a good reason to feel that way? Well we may think there is, but lets keep reading.

Psalms 42:5 ...hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

Hope thou in God! That is the answer for being discouraged!
Just think about it for a second... What is the hope that we have in God?

Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

God, who cannot lie, has promised eternal life to all those who believe in Jesus and turn away from their sins. Just image living for eternity in the presence of Jesus in the pure, holy and blessed atmosphere of heaven!
What a glorious hope!

1. Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

What is our hope? Our Joy? Our crown of rejoicing? Isn't it that we may be able to stand in the presence of our precious saviour Jesus, at his coming, that we may be able to behold His lovely face, and see the scars that still remain in his hands and feet?
Yes! This is our hope.

But what about the "help of his countenance?

Psalms 42:5 ...hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

What does 'countenance' mean?
It means the human face, or the whole form of the face. It also means favour, good will or kindness. This comes from the practice of turning your face towards someone if you are pleased with them, or turning away from them if you are angry.

So now lets look at Psalms 42:5 ...I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance". Jesus longs to help us and to turn his face toward us in favour, He loves us with an everlasting love and desires that each one of us should find help and encouragement in Him. But the ultimate choice of whether we want Jesus to help us or not, is ours.

Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

James 4:2 ...ye have not, because ye ask not.

Often we forget to ask Jesus for help, but if we ask, help will be given to us! Jesus will turn his face towards us and strengthen and uplift us to face whatever challenges we are going through.

And how do you think we should ask Jesus for help? Yes, prayer is our way of speaking with God, and we can pray anywhere, at any time, even if we can only send a short silent prayer to heaven, Jesus will come to our aid!
We must also pray with the hope and belief that He will strengthen us. The prayer of faith, spoken by one who believes its going to be answered, is the prayer that God delights to hear.

Psalms 31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

What a promise! If we be of good courage and hope in the Lord, He will strengthen our heart. No if, buts or maybes, but a definate "will strengthen your heart"!

So if you are feeling discouraged or down, stop, and remember Jesus, and the glorious eternal hope that He has given us. Remember to be of good courage and as you do, God will strengthen you, and enable you to pick up the pieces and try again.

Be not discouraged; be not fainthearted. Although you may have temptations, although you may be beset by the wily foe, yet if you have the fear of God before you, angels that excel in strength will be sent to your help, and you can be more than a match for the powers of darkness. Jesus lives. He died to make a way of escape for the fallen race, and He lives today to make intercession for us, that we may be exalted to His own right hand. Hope in God. The world is traveling the broad way; and as you travel in the narrow way ... remember that provision has been made for you. Help has been laid upon One that is mighty, and through Him you can conquer. - Testimonies to the Church vol. 2, p 591