Text: Genesis 37:150:26

Topic: How to overcome discouragement

Introduction

Everyone faces discouragement.

Ephesians 6:12

Illustration: At the Devil's garage sale, the tool of discouragement is priced highest because of its usefulness.

Big Idea: Face your problems relying on God.

Illustration: Yates briefly summarizes how Joseph faced many discouragements.

Illustration: Yates describes the many failures of a man, one after another, before revealing the character is Abraham Lincoln.

The problems may change as we grow older, but from childhood on we all face life's discouragements.

You can choose unacceptable ways of dealing with your problems.

• You can give in to despair.

Illustration: Yates tells the story of a recent rash of teenage suicides in Bangor, Maine, and then cites escalating teen suicide rates to illustrate how early in life people are facing despair.

Illustration: Yates recounts Elijah's despair under the broom tree in 1 Kings 19.

You can deny your problems.

Illustration: Yates recounts Peter's refusal to acknowledge his cowardice until he had denied Jesus three times.

Or you can face your problems like Joseph—realistically and faithfully.

• During times of difficulty, Joseph exemplified maintaining a relationship with God
• Joseph resisted temptation
• Joseph focused on others

Illustration: Yates briefly tells of a psychologist, Dr. Karl Menninger, who prescribed helping others as a way to avoid nervous breakdown.

Joseph did what he was able to do

Joseph trusted in God's sovereignty.

Conclusion

• Illustration: Yates reads a lengthy paragraph from a letter by a missionary who joyfully welcomes the Devil's attacks as evidence of God's work in his life.