Discouragement is a regular part of life. A project started with energy and enthusiasm becomes drudgery in time. Even things we do for fun will be almost impossible to face on some days. What should we do when discouragement strikes, take a step back? Walk away completely? Take a deep breath and throw ourselves 100% back into the project? How you answer that question depends both on personality and circumstances.
But here is a bit of encouragement to keep going.
First of all, take that deep breath, both physically and spiritually. Where ever we are and what ever we are doing, a deep breath and a brief act of turning to God don’t take any time and both are wonderfully refreshing.
Be honest. You don’t want to do what ever it is you are doing. It won’t work to lie to your self about it. You have to come to grips with your feelings before you can move on.
Be cheerful anyway and keep going anyway. It came as a surprise to many people to find out that Mother Teresa went through years of spiritual darkness and feelings of being abandoned by God. Yet she kept going and kept smiling, and by the grace of God she accomplished amazing things. Who knows what God wants to do with you?
“In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Mary - I appreciate this post. It gave me a boost about mid-week. Thanks so much for your words of encouragement and for reflecting on the life of Mother Teresa.
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