Key scripture – “But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him” (John 20:11–13, esv).

Pastor James McDonald points out that there were six Marys in the New Testament. The one in this passage was not Jesus’ mother. It wasn’t the Mary who sat at His feet (Luke 10:39) or the prostitute who experienced His mercy and grace (John 8). Wailing in front of Jesus’ empty tomb was Mary Magdalene. Aside from a mention of His rescuing her from seven demons (Luke 8:1–2), we know little about this Mary.

But it isn’t difficult to imagine how important Jesus had become to Mary Magdalene. Through Jesus Christ her demonic torture was ended and her life was restored—and her love for Him was immense. Trying to cope with her Savior’s death left her deeply discouraged. Rising in her grief to visit His tomb and then finding it empty pushed Mary to the brink of despair. That is the danger of discouragement, because if it continues unattended it can lead to the far more dangerous condition called despair. Discouragement isn’t just a bad day or two, it is when you lack courage in life or in a particular circumstance, and you have a loss of confidence about the future. You need to beware, because the progression from discouragement to despair can happen quickly, with devastating consequences.

Think of all the places Mary could have gone that morning with her discouragement. She could have gotten lost in her work or consumed with her family. She could have just stayed in bed and said, “I am not getting up. I can’t face anyone today”. Any of those choices would have been understandable.

Instead, Mary rose at dawn and went to the last place she had seen Jesus. Sometimes the most profound things in God’s Word are the simplest things: Mary was discouraged, so she went to find Jesus.

“She turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?’ ” (vv. 14–15a). Even more amazing, and just as instructive, Jesus was there. Even though He was newly resurrected, and He had a fairly lengthy to-do list over the next forty days, He paused to care for His discouraged friend.

“Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned and said to him in Aramaic,‘Rabboni!’ (which means Teacher)” (vv. 15b–16).

Jesus’ presence gave Mary power over her discouragement, and when you take your discouragements to Him, He will do the same for you. You might be thinking, “But doesn’t God already know I’m discouraged?” Absolutely. He knows all about it, and He wants you to know that He knows, and here is what He wants you to do.

* Pray. Get alone, kneel down, and pray out loud with a list. Unburden your heart before the Lord.

* Journal. Write down what you’re praying about, or write out your prayers. And watch your journal become a chronicle of God’s faithfulness.

* Get in your Bible. If you’re discouraged, you probably have not been spending a lot of time in God’s Word. Immerse yourself in His Book.

* Worship and Praise. The Lord is enthroned on the praises of His people (see Psalm 22:3). Draw near to Him in worship and praise and let Him be the lifter of your head.

* Fellowship. A godly friend is God’s provision—share what you’re walking through with someone who loves Him. Being alone is what a discouraged person may want the most and need the least.

Often what we desperately need is right in front of us, yet in our distress we fail to reach for it. Your discouragement matters to God. Take it to Him, cry and talk to God honestly about it. Allow Jesus to reveal Himself to you as He did to Mary—tenderly, lovingly, patiently—and to give you His power over discouragement.

So if you are discouraged today, go directly to Jesus—He is risen and waiting for you right now with open arms!

On a scale of 1 (highly encouraged) to 5 (deeply discouraged), where would you rate yourself right now? What is fueling that current state of being?
Are you in the habit of taking your discouragements to God? What spiritual discipline above would help you grow in this?

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, You are Perfect and Holy, yet You suffered more than any person on earth. You know my discouragement and You have shown Yourself to be trustworthy. Forgive me for not bringing it to you openly and faithfully, I know that You want me to trust You and to talk to You about it. I bring it to You now. Meet me in my pain and discouragement which is ____________ with Your life-giving, darkness-dispelling power. Help me lean into: Your Word and find hope; Your people and find help; Your worship and praise and be the lifter of my head. I entrust my discouragement into Your capable hands and look forward to Your faithfulness. I know my best days and greatest victories are not behind me they are in front of me. My future is full of hope because, You told us, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11). In Jesus Christ, my Healing, Comforting Savior’s Name, I pray, Amen.