Oh Man, Not You Again

Doesn't it feel great to accomplish something, to meet that goal, to make some progress? After 2 years, I finally finished my deck, with great help from my son. All last winter I felt sorry for my little dog and my big greyhound, slipping and stumbling, going down and up the deck, slipping on the moss covered steps, which can become quiet slick when wet. I also felt somewhat defeated looking at the unfinished deck over the past 1-2 years, wondering “why didn’t you get that done”. Accomplishments are great things that boost our self esteem and our concept of self.

In life, there are many dreams and desires, and not all come to fruition. Some dreams are passed by because in time, they are no longer important, no longer desired to achieve. Other dreams just wither away with the sands of time. Some of our dreams, our goals, are difficult and have deep routed struggles, like the deep root of a weed that flourishes, remaining green, in the hot summer as the grass around it browns and dies.

Many of our struggles, those deep constant bumps in the road of life, stay with us, roaring their ugly heads at the most inopportune times. As we walk towards our goal, our desired change in life, these bumps can arise and knock us off track, with one of their most deadly and affective weapons, discouragement. Whether the goal is to lose weight, get sober or stay sober, create a healthier marriage or family relationships, find better and more supportive friends, gain a deeper understanding of God, improve a relationship with Christ, or a multitude of other goals, discouragement, if caught off guard, can give us all the incentive we don’t need to give up.

To bring discouragement to its knee, we need to look at our accomplishments and not allow discouragement to become our master, to minimize the great efforts and accomplishments we’ve made up to the bump in the road. Discouragement can become a great teacher if we put it in its place and see its benefit. But to do this, we must never allow discouragement to force us back into the negative thinking of self worthlessness, hopelessness, and defeat. We must look at discouragement in the same way a weightlifter sees sore muscles, as growth and signs of progress in our journey. Or the way an artist sees a failed image on a canvass, as a means to greatness. Discouragement offers the opportunity to review our success, see our greatness in God, and move forward.

I encourage you, my reader and friend, not to allow discouragement to become what it was never suppose to be, a road back to the past of defeat, painful memories, and giving up, resting soundly in hopelessness. We all face our Goliaths, and if we choose to trust in our God and laugh in the face of unbeatable odds, at the discouragements of our life, and fight the good fight, we will succeed. We must have good support and stronger faith. Many have written about discouragement, and here are just a few. Enjoy, and change the discouragement of your life into the success you are so worthy of gaining, and so worth of having.  Never forget, you are a Child of the King.

“The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, 'O God, forgive me,' or 'Help me.'” Billy Grahm

“Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success.” Dale Carnegie

“In spite of everything I shall rise again: I will take up my pencil, which I have forsaken in my great discouragement, and I will go on with my drawing.” Vincent van Gogh

“What we do not see, what most of us never suspect of existing, is the silent but irresistible power which comes to the rescue of those who fight on in the face of discouragement.” Napoleon Hill

“The most essential factor is persistence - the determination never to allow your energy or enthusiasm to be dampened by the discouragement that must inevitably come.” James Whitcomb Riley

“Good work habits help develop an internal toughness and a self-confident attitude that will sustain you through every adversity and temporary discouragement.” Paul J. Fleyer

“Defeat should never be a source of discouragement but rather a fresh stimulus.” Robert South

“It is only after an unknown number of unrecorded labors, after a host of noble hearts have succumbed in discouragement, convinced that their cause is lost; it is only then that cause triumphs.” Unknown

“Start with the End in Mind, Keep your Focus on What you Want, look towards your Goal and not back towards the past, view roadblocks and discouragements as opportunities of growth that lead towards success, don’t let discouragement be your master but rather your teacher, and always keep your soul focused on Christ.” Rodney Valandra

(The writings in this post are random thoughts and observations and are NEVER intended as professional or personal advice. Take what works and leave the rest. For information on mental health and/or substance abuse help, visit http://www.rodneyvalandra.com and refer to the links page.)