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4 Doctrinal Truths to Help Overcome Discouragement
Studying the trials of Joshua and Joseph Smith can help us through our own.
When the prophet Joshua was called to lead the children of Israel to the promised land, he was overwhelmed with the task ahead of him.
The Lord replied to his discouragement, saying, “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 the Prophet Joseph Smith was imprisoned in Liberty Jail, he became discouraged because of the terrible persecution toward the Saints.
The Lord replied:
“My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;
“And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes” (Doctrine and Covenants 121:7–8).
The Lord also comforted Joseph by saying:
“Know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.
“The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?” (Doctrine and Covenants 122:7–8).
With both Joshua and Joseph, did the Lord take away the problems of these prophets? No. He instead shared these doctrinal truths:
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Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, are always with us.
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When viewed with an eternal perspective, our trials will pass.
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Our trials will give us experience.
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Jesus Christ fully and completely understands us and what we’re going through.
Anytime we feel discouraged, we can pray to our Heavenly Father to receive a testimony of these doctrinal truths by the power of the Holy Ghost.
Learn more about handling discouragement in the “Mental Health” section of the Life Help resources in the Gospel Library.