Discouragement is not a terminal disease. It is an ailment that we have all had at one time or another but it can be healed. Whenever I get discouraged I reconnect spiritually by reading some of my favorite biblical passages as well as using prayer. Some of the great leaders of ancient Israel understood that there were at least four major reasons for discouragement.

First, fatigue sets in and you get tired. Human beings wear out and to go beyond what you can physically do without collapsing you have to use stimulants, which can open an unwanted door to addiction. The real cure is rest, nutrition, and proper exercise.  That old idiom “You cannot burn the candle at both ends” took root in our lexicon because it is absolutely true. So if you’re discouraged, the cure may be simple.  Eat right, regularly take quality nutritional supplements, get a good nights rest, develop your spiritual life, and take an occasional vacation even if it’s only an hour away from home. A change of scenery can work wonders for the tired soul.

Second, don’t let frustration take over your emotional wellbeing.  I become frustrated when I have a lot of little tasks that I let pile up over time which invariably pushes me into a state of overwhelment. The answer I discovered was to schedule overdue tasks on a monthly basis (1 or 2) and determine to both begin and complete them. Repeat this each month and the result is you ultimately release the mental pressure by scheduling and finishing things that are hanging around in the back of your mind. These are distractions you really don’t need.

Third, failure is not only an option; it may be inevitable particularly if you haven’t set a proper timeline or planned correctly.  Just because you set a goal and it didn’t come to fruition doesn’t mean you failed.  You must always look at goals in the context of what you wanted, when you wanted it, how you were going to accomplish it, and ask yourself if it was a bit over reaching to begin with.  For example are you making $35,000 a year with a goal of the next year making $500,000?  Unless something miraculous is going on or you win the lottery the goal is probably irrational to your subconscious mind.  In other words you don’t believe it deep down.  A more realistic goal would be to double or even triple your salary.  Therefore you are going from $35k to $70 or $100k, which is a completely rational outcome and is within the realm of possibility for your subconscious. Of course this assumes proper planning and execution.

Lastly, when you give in to fear discouragement sets in.  One of my favorite biblical passages is in Isaiah 41

 6    each helps the other and says to his brother, “Be strong!”

 7    The craftsman encourages the goldsmith,

       and he who smoothes with the hammer

       spurs on him who strikes the anvil.

       He says of the welding, “It is good.”

The people most affected by fear are those who hang around negative people. If you’re going to control negative thoughts in your life, you’ve got to get away from negative people as much as you can.  Notice in Isaiah the craftsman encourages the goldsmith. 

Look at the six people closest to you and you are looking at your future.  Are they broke, busted, and disgusted? Are they smoking, drinking, and “drugging”?  If the answer is yes and you are trying to change your life and move in a positive direction can you really follow the crowd and do well?  No. Let’s face it; water always seeks its own level!

Maybe your discouragement comes from fear. You keep telling yourself “I can’t handle it”. This will undoubtedly become a self-fulfilling prophecy.  Maybe you are afraid of being unpopular as a child? Fear and doubt will destroy your life if you let it. The way to fight it is by spending time with positive people, listening to positive audios, reading good books, and strengthening your spiritual life. Prayer and meditation hasn’t failed me yet. Give it a try. I promise you will see immediate and positive results.

©2009 THJ & Associates, LLC