The way to deal with dis'courage'ment is to take the word 'courage' out and uses it. We overcome discouragement when we realise that (1) nothing happens according to our plans; (2) we need to be realistic in our expectations; (3) avoid dwelling on discouragements alone; (4) controlling our emotions; (5) not to give up; (6) that a closed door may leads to many open doors; and that our God is bigger than all our problems.

1. When all
you know is
Psalm 11: 1-7

2. Seven ways to
overcome
discouragement

3. What is

4. •Studies
•Grades
•Physical appearance
•Spiritual life
•Relationship
•Friendship
•Parents

5. David the
boy who
would be
king

6. King David

7. Psalm 11: 1-3
1 In the LORD I take refuge.
How then can you say to me:
"Flee like a bird to your mountain.
2 For look, the wicked bend their bows;
they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows
at the upright in heart.
3 When the foundations are being destroyed,
what can the righteous do?"

8. Psalm 4-7
PS 11:4 The LORD is in his holy temple;
the LORD is on his heavenly throne.
He observes the sons of men;
his eyes examine them.
5 The LORD examines the righteous,
but the wicked and those who love violence
his soul hates.
6 On the wicked he will rain
fiery coals and burning sulfur;
a scorching wind will be their lot.
7 For the LORD is righteous,
he loves justice;
upright men will see his face.

9. Psalm 11:1-7
1 In the LORD I take refuge.
How then can you say to me:
"Flee like a bird to your mountain.
2 For look, the wicked bend their bows;
they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows
at the upright in heart.
3 When the foundations are being destroyed,
what can the righteous do?"
PS 11:4 The LORD is in his holy temple;
the LORD is on his heavenly throne.
He observes the sons of men;
his eyes examine them.
5 The LORD examines the righteous,
but the wicked and those who love violence
his soul hates.
6 On the wicked he will rain
fiery coals and burning sulfur;
a scorching wind will be their lot.
7 For the LORD is righteous,
he loves justice;
upright men will see his face.

10. Psalm 11:1-7
1 In the LORD I take refuge.
How then can you say to me:
"Flee like a bird to your mountain.
2 For look, the wicked bend their bows;
they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows
at the upright in heart.
3 When the foundations are being destroyed,
what can the righteous do?"
PS 11:4 The LORD is in his holy temple;
the LORD is on his heavenly throne.
He observes the sons of men;
his eyes examine them.
5 The LORD examines the righteous,
but the wicked and those who love violence
his soul hates.
6 On the wicked he will rain
fiery coals and burning sulfur;
a scorching wind will be their lot.
7 For the LORD is righteous,
he loves justice;
upright men will see his face.

11. Psalm 11:1-7
1 In the LORD I take refuge.
How then can you say to me:
"Flee like a bird to your mountain.
2 For look, the wicked bend their bows;
they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows
at the upright in heart.
3 When the foundations are being destroyed,
what can the righteous do?"
PS 11:4 The LORD is in his holy temple;
the LORD is on his heavenly throne.
He observes the sons of men;
his eyes examine them.
5 The LORD examines the righteous,
but the wicked and those who love violence
his soul hates.
6 On the wicked he will rain
fiery coals and burning sulfur;
a scorching wind will be their lot.
7 For the LORD is righteous,
he loves justice;
upright men will see his face.

12. Psalm 11:1-7
1 In the LORD I take refuge.
How then can you say to me:
"Flee like a bird to your mountain.
2 For look, the wicked bend their bows;
they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows
at the upright in heart.
3 When the foundations are being destroyed,
what can the righteous do?"
PS 11:4 The LORD is in his holy temple;
the LORD is on his heavenly throne.
He observes the sons of men;
his eyes examine them.
5 The LORD examines the righteous,
but the wicked and those who love violence
his soul hates.
6 On the wicked he will rain
fiery coals and burning sulfur;
a scorching wind will be their lot.
7 For the LORD is righteous,
he loves justice;
upright men will see his face.

13. Psalm 11:1-7
1 In the LORD I take refuge.
How then can you say to me:
"Flee like a bird to your mountain.
2 For look, the wicked bend their bows;
they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows
at the upright in heart.
3 When the foundations are being destroyed,
what can the righteous do?"
PS 11:4 The LORD is in his holy temple;
the LORD is on his heavenly throne.
He observes the sons of men;
his eyes examine them.
5 The LORD examines the righteous,
but the wicked and those who love violence
his soul hates.
6 On the wicked he will rain
fiery coals and burning sulfur;
a scorching wind will be their lot.
7 For the LORD is righteous,
he loves justice;
upright men will see his face.

14. Courage - key truths about God
• He is sovereign over all (v. 4a).
• He is well aware of the wicked and what
they are doing (v. 4b).
• He is not ambivalent about evil but has the
utmost hatred for it and in due time will
bring judgment on the wicked (vv. 5–6).
• He loves righteousness and smiles upon
those who practice it (v. 7).

15. Developing courage
Seven ways to
overcome
discouragement

16. Nothing happens according
1 to plan
(Prov. 21:31)
The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but victory rests with the LORD.

17. Nothing happens according
1 to plan

18. 2 Be realistic
(Prov. 24:3-4)
PR 24:3 By wisdom a house is built,
and through understanding it is
established;
PR 24:4 through knowledge its rooms
are filled
with rare and beautiful treasures.

19. Be realistic in our
2 expectations

20. Avoid dwelling on
3 discouragements alone
ECC 4:9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
ECC 4:10 If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!
ECC 4:11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep
warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
ECC 4:12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

21. Avoid dwelling on
3 discouragements alone

22. 4 Control your emotions
(Prov. 25:28)
PR 25:28 Like a city whose walls are
broken down
is a man who lacks self-control.

23. 4 Control your emotions

24. 5 Don’t give up
(Gal. 6:9)
9 Let us not become weary in doing
good, for at the proper time we will
reap a harvest if we do not give up.

25. 5 Don’t give up

26. A closed door may lead to
6 many open doors
(Gen. 50:20)
20 You intended to harm me, but God
intended it for good to accomplish what
is now being done, the saving of many
lives.

27. A closed door may lead to
6 many open doors

28. Your God is bigger than your
7 problems (Psalm 11)

29. When all you know is
discouragement
• Nothing happens according to our plans (Prov.
21:31)
• Be realistic in our expectations (Prov. 24:3-4)
• Avoid dwelling on discouragements alone (Eccl.
4:9-12).
• Control your emotions (Prov. 25:28)
• Don’t give up (Gal. 6:9)
• A closed door may leads to many open doors
(Gen. 50:20)
• Your God is bigger than your problems
(Psalm 11)

30. overcoming

31. Sermon notes from
dr.alex.tang