Do you have things in your life that are resulting in feelings of discouragement?
Do you sometimes feel like you should throw in the towel?
I think we have all felt drained and alone at one time or another. I looked up the definition to shed a little more light on the concept of discouragement. It means “to deprive of confidence, hope or spirit; dishearten, daunt.”
I have been feeling a little discouraged lately. I have felt called to write and recently finished my first book. I realize I’m new to writing and certainly have a lot to learn. However, I have poured my blood, sweat and tears into writing over the past 9 months and feel a strong conviction that this is something God wants me to do. I have submitted my book to publishers and agents over the last few weeks, and the rejections have started pouring in.
I feel like I am trying to promote interest in things throughout my life without much success. Personally, my book and my blog. Apparently, I need to expand my platform (website, social media) to get published. And I’m not a big fan of promoting myself. We are supposed to show humility, right? I realize this is a little different, and probably necessary. Nevertheless, it’s not easy for me.
At work, I am trying to get a HR/organizational development consulting business off the ground. Things are moving a lot slower than I’d like. I know that it’s in God’s timing, but I can’t help but feel a little inpatient – and yes, discouraged.
We are in good company as it relates to feeling discouraged. I’m pretty sure that most of the people in the Bible felt discouraged at on time or another. Here are a few examples.
- Job felt discouraged because his wife and friends didn’t get it. Instead of supporting him, they ended up piling shame and blame on him for his afflictions.
- The disciples felt discouraged when Jesus was crucified (before the resurrection) as they had put their hope in him to redeem Israel (Luke 29).
- Peter felt discouraged with himself when he denied Jesus – not one or twice but three times (John 18)!
So who is behind this sinister force of discouragement? Could it be – SATAN?! To quote the Church Lady. This is a character that Dana Carvey played in an old SNL skit, for those of you in the younger demographic. If you haven’t seen, check it out on YouTube.
Satan has two primary tools — doubt and discouragement. He wants us to give up and quit!
Here are some strategies to help you overcome feelings of discouragement.
Fill you mind with scripture.
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds”. Psalm 147:3
“Fear not, I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”. Isaiah 41:10
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
“but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
Feel better? Definitely helpful for me! I’m going to keep these scriptures close over the coming weeks.
Train yourself to “see” life out of two lenses at the same time
In Romans 12:2. the apostle Paul counsels us to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. I believe that Paul is telling us that our mind needs to be trained to think differently than we may have in the past. Part of this training involves seeing both the temporal (life is hard) and the eternal (God has a purpose for this) at the same time.
Paul shares more about the temporal pain when he says he is hard pressed on every side, perplexed, persecuted and struck down. Yet he does not become crushed, filled with despair, abandoned, or destroyed because he firmly fixed the eternal perspective on things above. Paul didn’t allow discouragement to win because he know that God’s purposes were being worked out.
“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
Have faith in God and his timing
I have to remember to have faith and that things will happen in God’s time. It’s not in my abilities to foresee when and how God will work things out. I know He has a plan for me, but maybe he’s not ready to unleash it yet. I will continue to take one step at a time.
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up”. Galatians 6:9
I am continuing to write, sending out my work to other publishers and websites. I am continuing my efforts to learn and grow personally. This hopefully will set me up for the next step whatever that may be. If nothing else, if I have helped a person or two, then I feel good about that. And I certainly have learned a lot in the process.
REFLECT
Is there anything in your life that is making you feel discouraged?
What will you do to help you overcome these feelings and persevere?
