Remedy for Feeling Discouraged
It can feel discouraging when you have a desire, and it’s not being fulfilled. No one is immune from discouraging circumstances, but there is a practical remedy for regaining a new point of view and avoiding a spiral of despair. If you’re feeling tired or overwhelmed in your relationships, hope is the best way to rehearse a future of freedom and joy. Hope is for those who choose to process life differently and is not based on anyone else changing. This is the perfect day to never give up.
FOUR REASONS YOU MAY FEEL DISCOURAGED
ONE: Lack of Progress
Sometimes you simply crave physical evidence or signs of encouragement of progress. Try and see this as a “speed bump” rather than feeling the intensity of an entire apple cart turning over! It’s easy to lose perspective when your hit a bump in the road, but remember, God’s promises are still intact, you aren’t going backward, and God wants to give you a new point of view.
Instead of being obsessed with where you’re trying to get to, Find peace where you are right now in this moment. Once you regain that sense of calm, the path is suddenly made clear. Now you can level up as an individual, instead of blaming the relationship. Consider co-mingling your thoughts with God’s thoughts.
Limiting thoughts are anything that involves worry, a distraction from what is good, and fearing the worst. These become like a dark fog that blocks you from seeing the light and experiencing God’s goodness daily.
Judgmental thoughts are anything that involves anger, frustration, disappointment, injustice, or measuring. These become like obstacles on your journey to a life that is sweet and simple and full of peace and joy
TWO: Lack of getting what you want
Relationships aren’t here to get you to want you want - they’re here to get you to ask and seek and find new ways to understand, give mercy, and experience God’s presence and perspective.
If anyone is looking and waiting for someone to love them unconditionally - they’ll never find it. Because true satisfaction and feelings of being complete and whole - happen when you decide to trust someone and love and accept them unconditionally. Giving love is the ultimate satisfaction- rather than getting it.
THREE: Lack of rest
Sometimes we overanalyze the reason for discouragement when it was a simple issue of tiredness and exhaustion. If you aren’t waking up happy and optimistic and ready for a great day, surrender your day to God. Notice the abundance and provisions that are available to you. Breathe deeply and smile. Take some expectations and activities off your plate. It’s the perfect day to get realistic about what you’re demanding of yourself.
FOUR: Lazy attitude
Repentance is a radical change of attitude….Beliefs and attitudes determine what portion of God’s promises you will create with him and experience.
The ultimate way to experience life is to “believe the best” instead of assuming the worst. Let’s take a look at some examples of how our attitudes reflect our assumptions:
If you assume someone is responsible for meeting your needs, you’ll likely have miserable days
If you believe life is beautiful, you’ll likely experience many beautiful things
If you believe you’ll be happiest if you give unconditional love without expectations, you will have very satisfying relationships
If you assume someone’s bad habits will be there forever, you’ll feed into their dysfunction and limit their transformation
If you assume you’re going to have a difficult day, there's a good chance you will
If you believe you’re going to have a fantastic day, even if it’s full of tasks and challenges, you'll likely have more energy and more success through each task
If you’re ready for new levels of confidence or enthusiasm, implement these practical ways to enjoy life and see through new eyes…your relationships will reflect your choices and you will reap the benefits!
Hear more about this topic on Episode 141 of All About Relationships Podcast with Bob and Audrey.