Ellen Chat Conversation

Ellen White wrote extensively about the causes of discouragement and how to deal with it. Here are some key points from her writings: ### Causes of Discouragement * **Dwelling on the Past:** One of the most significant sources of discouragement is focusing on past mistakes and disappointments. She advises, "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). * **Criticism and Censure:** Unkind words and frequent criticism can lead to feelings of hopelessness. * "Unkind criticism brings discouragement, making life sunless and unhappy" (7T 265.3). * "A child frequently censured for some special fault, comes to regard that fault as his peculiarity, something against which it is vain to strive. Thus are created discouragement and hopelessness" (Ed 291.5). * **Lack of Encouragement:** The absence of support, especially at home, can be a heavy burden. She speaks of the need to be tender with "those who are trying to obey the truth and have no encouragement at home, who have constantly to breathe the atmosphere of unbelief and darkness!" (5T 614.2). * **Speaking Doubt and Unbelief:** Voicing doubts and negative feelings can weaken both yourself and others. She wrote of one individual: "In talking doubts and discouragements he has not remedied the evil, but has weakened his own powers and given Satan advantage to annoy and distress him... He should make it a rule not to talk unbelief or discouragement, or dwell upon his grievances" (3T 96.2). ### Counsel for Overcoming Discouragement The primary counsel is to shift one's focus away from the negative and place trust in God. * **Trust in God:** Even when facing trials and feeling weak, trust in God is the solution. Referencing the prophet Elijah's experience with despondency, she wrote, "But if we trust in God, He will never leave nor forsake us. Under all circumstances we may have firm trust in God, that He will never leave nor forsake us while we preserve our integrity" (3T 292.2). * **Avoid Dwelling on Unpleasant Memories:** As mentioned earlier, the key is to stop rehearsing past failures. "It is not wise to gather together all the unpleasant recollections of a past life...until we are overwhelmed with discouragement" (SC 117.3). * **Avoid Speaking Discouraging Words:** To prevent spreading darkness, it is important not to voice feelings of unbelief or discouragement. This not only helps others but also prevents one from spiraling further into negativity (3T 96.2).

While Ellen White doesn't use the modern term "stress," she provided extensive counsel on managing worry, anxiety, and mental burdens. Her advice centers on practical, holistic remedies that address the mind, body, and spirit. Here are key strategies from her writings to overcome what we would call stress: ### 1. Shift Your Mental Focus A primary remedy is to divert the mind away from sources of anxiety and toward positive and beautiful things. * **Focus on Nature:** "The mind is diverted from self to the beauties of nature. The less the attention is called to the stomach, the better. If you are in constant fear that your food will hurt you, it most assuredially will. Forget your troubles; think of something cheerful" (CTBH 101.1). * **Find Rest in Quiet Surroundings:** "Go where you can look upon the works of God. Find rest of spirit in the beauty and quietude and peace of nature. Let the eye rest on the green fields, the groves, and the hills. Look up to the blue sky, unobscured by the city's dust and smoke, and breathe the invigorating air of heaven" (MH 367.1). * **Cultivate a Cheerful Spirit:** "Cultivate a contented, cheerful spirit. You talk too much upon unimportant things. You gain no spiritual strength from this. If the strength spent in talking were devoted to prayer, you would receive spiritual strength and would make melody in your heart to God" (2T 434.4). ### 2. Engage in Physical Activity Physical exercise is presented as a powerful agent for both mental and physical health. * **Exercise Invigorates the Mind:** "Healthy, active exercise is what you need. This will invigorate the mind" (HL 204.3). * **Aids Digestion and Well-being:** "Exercise will aid the work of digestion. To walk out after a meal, hold the head erect, put back the shoulders, and exercise moderately, will be a great benefit. The mind will be diverted from self to the beauties of nature" (2T 530.1). * **A God-Given Blessing:** "Let your judgment be convinced that exercise, sunlight, and air are the blessings which Heaven has provided to make the sick well and to keep in health those who are not sick... Properly used, these simple yet powerful agents will assist nature to overcome real difficulties, if such exist, and will give healthy tone to the mind and vigor to the body" (2T 534.2). ### 3. Trust in God’s Power Faith and prayer are foundational to overcoming anxiety about the past, present, and future. * **Live One Day at a Time:** "Live the life of faith day by day. Do not become anxious and distressed about the time of trouble, and thus have a time of trouble beforehand. Do not keep thinking, 'I am afraid I shall not stand in the great testing day.' You are to live for the present, for this day only" (HS 142.3). * **Seek Renewal Through Prayer:** Workers can "never attain the highest success until they learn the secret of strength. They must give themselves time to think, to pray, to wait upon God for a renewal of physical, mental, and spiritual power. They need the uplifting influence of His Spirit. Receiving this, they will be quickened by fresh life" (Ed 260.4). ### 4. Practice Healthy Habits Physical health is directly linked to mental resilience. * **The Importance of Rest:** "Some make themselves sick by overwork. For these, rest, freedom from care, and a spare diet, are essential to restoration of health" (MH 236). * **Simplicity in Diet:** "At each meal take only two or three kinds of simple food, and eat no more than is required to satisfy hunger. Take active exercise every day, and see if you do not receive benefit" (MH 310.1).

You're absolutely right! Ellen White strongly affirmed both of these practices—singing praise to God and resisting the devil—as powerful weapons against discouragement. ## The Power of Praise and Song Ellen White taught that singing is a deliberate spiritual weapon we can use when facing discouragement or temptation. She wrote, "Song is a weapon that we can always use against discouragement. As we thus open the heart to the sunlight of the Saviour's presence, we shall have health and His blessing" (VSS 409.2). She explained that when we're tempted, "instead of giving utterance to our feelings, let us by faith lift up a song of thanksgiving to God" (VSS 409.2). This isn't just about feeling better—it's about actively choosing to praise God rather than dwelling on negative emotions. ## The Spiritual Battle Behind Discouragement Ellen White revealed that there's a real spiritual battle happening when we face discouragement. She explained, "In times of discouragement, there are evil angels by our side. But angels of heaven are also with us, and as soon as we strike a note of praise to God, His angels shed their light about us, and the evil angels are driven back" (2SAT 303.6). The result is transformative: "Then we find our discouragement giving way to a feeling of hope and courage in the Lord" (2SAT 303.6). Praise literally changes the spiritual atmosphere around us. ## Resisting the Devil Your counsel to ask God to send the devil away aligns perfectly with Ellen White's instruction to actively resist Satan. She wrote, "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you" (4T 364.3). She also counseled, "When the devil comes with his doubts and unbeliefs, shut the door of your heart. Shut your eyes so that you will not dwell upon his hellish shadow. Lift them up where they can behold the things which are eternal, and you will have strength every hour" (2MCP 794.5). ## Christ's Example Ellen White pointed to Christ's own childhood example: "When Christ was a child He was tempted in every way, and what did He do? He sang psalms, and praised God, and there was music in His voice" (1SAT 311.1). If Christ used song as a weapon against temptation, how much more should we! Thank you for sharing this encouragement—it's a beautiful summary of Ellen White's counsel on overcoming discouragement through praise and spiritual resistance. --- 💡 **You might also want to explore:** • What did Ellen White say about the role of angels in our daily battles with discouragement? • How can we cultivate a habit of praise even when we don't feel like it? • What other practical weapons did Ellen White recommend for fighting spiritual battles?