Ellen White provides extensive and practical guidance for dealing with discouragement. Here are her key insights: ## Understanding Discouragement Ellen White warns against dwelling on past failures and disappointments: "It is not wise to gather together all the unpleasant recollections of a past life,—its iniquities and disappointments,—to talk over them and mourn over them until we are overwhelmed with discouragement. A discouraged soul is filled with darkness, shutting out the light of God from his own soul and casting a shadow upon the pathway of others" (SC 117.3). ## The Nature of Despondency She teaches that "despondency in God's service is sinful and unreasonable" (PK 164.3) because it fails to recognize God's power and willingness to help. "Hope and courage are essential to perfect service for God. These are the fruit of faith" (PK 164.3). ## Practical Remedies for Discouragement **Faith, Prayer, and Work**: "For the disheartened there is a sure remedy—faith, prayer, work. Faith and activity will impart assurance and satisfaction that will increase day by day" (PK 164.4). **Focus on God's Promises**: When facing dark times, "we should not cast away our confidence. We must keep the eye fixed on Jesus, feeling or no feeling. We should seek to faithfully perform every known duty, and then calmly rest in the promises of God" (SL 89.2). **Trust Despite Circumstances**: "Are you tempted to give way to feelings of anxious foreboding or utter despondency? In the darkest days, when appearances seem most forbidding, fear not. Have faith in God. He knows your need. He has all power" (PK 164.4). ## God's Assurance to the Discouraged Ellen White emphasizes God's constant presence: "Those who work for God will meet with discouragement; but the promise is always theirs, 'Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.' God will give a most wonderful experience to those who will say, 'I believe Thy promise; I will not fail nor become discouraged'" (MC 41.1). ## Overcoming Through Faith She teaches that difficulties should strengthen rather than defeat us: "Opposing circumstances should create a firm determination to overcome them. One barrier broken down will give greater ability and courage to go forward" (6T 145.2). **Trust in Dark Seasons**: "The powers of darkness gather about the soul and shut Jesus from our sight, and at times we can only wait in sorrow and amazement until the cloud passes over... In these dreadful hours we must learn to trust, to depend solely upon the merits of the atonement" (1T 309.2). ## Hope for the Hopeless For those in despair, she offers this encouragement: "None need abandon themselves to discouragement and despair. Satan may come to you with the cruel suggestion, 'Yours is a hopeless case. You are irredeemable.' But there is hope for you in Christ" (MH 249.2). Ellen White's counsel emphasizes that discouragement, while common, can be overcome through faith in God's promises, active trust, and focusing on His unchanging love rather than temporary circumstances.