3 Ways To Overcome Discouragement

Cancellation after cancellation!

Events that I’ve had scheduled for a year have had to cancel due to the pandemic. I want everyone to be safe, but sheesh, enough already! I’m ready to get back to the business of proclaiming Jesus!!!

Ugh. The disappointment.

Today, when my 18th event cancelled, I had a good cry. For the rest of the day, I was down in the dumps. I didn’t engage with other potential clients via phone or email. Who would hire me? was the recording playing in my head. I even had writer’s block. Who wants to read my stuff? traipsed across my mind. There was no cheering myself up. Completely, discouraged, I watched mindless television and ate 10,000 calories.

The devil’s in the details.

I’m confident that discouragement is our enemy’s favorite tactic to slow us down. Discouragement depletes your energy, self-confidence and stamina. It can be so oppressive, you don’t even want to try to find your way out.

Once I’m discouraged, I don’t need to be tempted, or deceived or attacked. I am out of commission until I find my way back to the the face of God.

Have you been discouraged? At some point, we all are. Here’s how to reset.

3 Ways To Overcome Discouragement 

• Acknowledge the cruddy thing that happened. Feel the disappointment. It’s legit to feel hurt or fear or discouragement when your world is upside-down and sideways. Give yourself the space to grieve.

• Remember your problems are not bigger than your God. He loves you more than your enemy hates you. Believe the LORD has a good plan for you and can make good come out of the worst of circumstances. Lean in and ask for assurance, guidance and restoration. Stand firm on God’s truth. Trust that God hears your prayers and will answer them.

• Take action. Reconnect with God through praise and worship. Go for a walk. Get back on the phone. Take a nap. Do something lovely for someone else. Write a card. Send a “thinking of you” text. FaceTime your bestie.

Trust God in the process. 

It stinks when life doesn’t go the way we wish it would, but God is bigger than anything you are facing. He spoke the Universe into existence with a word. (Uni = one, Verse = word)

It’s true, we have an enemy who wants to kill us, steal our joy and destroy our dreams. Other people’s free will may fall on us in destruction and negative ways. We will face natural disasters and disease.

But God …

God will never let us down. He will always be with us and for us. He will always have a way out or through or around this discouraging thing. And he’s infinitely creative in the ways to lead and encourage us.

What is your best plan to restore your heart and mind in God when life seems awry? Leave a comment below.

Scripture for today: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Prayer: Lord have mercy on me. I am so easily duped into thinking that I am alone and that You are distant and impotent. Such lies! Lord, restore my courage and revitalize my faith that in you! Be with me and show me how to recognize lies. In you nothing is impossible. Praise you Jesus. amen.