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    Comfort

    Scriptural comfort for some common causes of discouragement

    Anxiety

    See “Anxiety”

    Bitterness; resentment

    Some are embittered by a hardship or a series of adversities

    Ec 9:11, 12

    See also Ps 142:4; Ec 4:1; 7:7

    Some are embittered by the unkind conduct of others

    Ec 4:1, 2

    • Relevant Bible account(s):

      • 1Sa 1:6, 7, 10, 13-16​—Hannah is deeply hurt by the unkind treatment from Peninnah and is misjudged by High Priest Eli

      • Job 8:3-6; 16:1-5; 19:2, 3​—Job’s three would-be comforters are self-righteous and judgmental, making Job feel worse

    • Comforting scriptures:

    • Comforting Bible account(s):

      • 1Sa 1:9-11, 18​—After Hannah pours out her heart to Jehovah, her pain eases

      • Job 42:7, 8, 10, 17​—After Job shows a forgiving spirit, Jehovah restores him to health and happiness

    Crushing guilt

    Ezr 9:6; Ps 38:3, 4, 8; 40:12

    • Relevant Bible account(s):

      • 2Ki 22:8-13; 23:1-3​—King Josiah and his subjects become aware of their great guilt after the Law of Moses is read aloud to them

      • Ezr 9:10-15; 10:1-4​—The priest Ezra and the people are crushed with guilt because contrary to Jehovah’s will, some have married foreigners

      • Lu 22:54-62​—The apostle Peter is deeply grieved by guilt after he three times denies knowing Jesus

    • Comforting scriptures:

    • Comforting Bible account(s):

      • 2Ch 33:9-13, 15, 16​—Manasseh is among the worst of all the kings of Judah; yet, he repents and is granted mercy

      • Lu 15:11-32​—Jesus relates the parable of the lost son to illustrate how generously and completely Jehovah forgives

    Disappointment when others have let us down, hurt us, or even betrayed us

    See “Disappointment”

    Disappointment over our own weaknesses and sins

    See “Disappointment”

    Doubts about our own worth

    See “Doubts”

    Feelings of inadequacy in the face of a daunting challenge or assignment

    • Relevant Bible account(s):

      • Ex 3:11; 4:10​—The prophet Moses feels inadequate when told to confront Pharaoh and lead God’s people out of Egypt

      • Jer 1:4-6​—Jeremiah feels that he is too young and inexperienced to serve as Jehovah’s prophet to a stubborn people

    • Comforting scriptures:

    • Comforting Bible account(s):

      • Ex 3:12; 4:11, 12​—Jehovah patiently reassures the prophet Moses that He will help him in his assignment

      • Jer 1:7-10​—Jehovah reassures the prophet Jeremiah that He will make him equal to the challenges ahead

    Jealousy; envy

    See “Jealousy”

    Limitations imposed by illness or advancing age

    Ps 71:9, 18; Ec 12:1-7

    • Relevant Bible account(s):

      • 2Ki 20:1-3​—King Hezekiah weeps profusely over a deadly illness

      • Php 2:25-30​—Epaphroditus is depressed because the congregation heard that he was ill and he worried that they had the impression that he had failed to carry out his assignment

    • Comforting scriptures:

    • Comforting Bible account(s):

      • 2Sa 17:27-29; 19:31-38​—Loyal Barzillai is highly valued, but he modestly refuses an assignment that he feels is too much for him in his old age

      • Ps 41:1-3, 12​—Though King David may be seriously ill, he counts on Jehovah to sustain him

      • Mr 12:41-44​—Jesus praises a poor widow for her contribution because she gives all she has

    Lingering emotional pain over mistreatment by others

    See “Mistreatment”

    Morbid fear; dread

    See “Fear”

    Persecution

    See “Persecution”