Guard Against Discouragement

Guard Against Discouragement

Getting Unstuck by Meredith Schafer on Youversion

When we fail, when life doesn’t turn out the way we hope, or when someone lets us down, we can feel discouraged–that is a natural human response.

We get stuck when we stay in that place of discouragement too long (or can’t figure out how to move out of it).There will be times when discouragement overwhelms us. But we can get unstuck when we begin to think about the things of God: things that are true, noble, lovely, excellent, and of good report, just as Philippians 4:8 reminds us. When we start meditating on those things instead of the ways we are disappointed, that can go a long way toward moving forward.

Change Your Perspective
If you want to supercharge getting unstuck, try to look at things from a new perspective. Did your best friend hurt your feelings? Zoom out to see if something else is going on. Were they having a bad day, or did their words come from their own place of hurt?

Maybe you are discouraged because you didn’t get your dream job despite your best efforts or being qualified for it. If you can begin to look through the lens of gratitude for the ways God has shown up for you before, it can keep you from sitting in discouragement too long.

Often, getting unstuck is as simple as changing our minds. Don’t get me wrong: It is ok to feel what you feel. You just can’t stay there.

So, what are other ways to change your perspective? Ask a mentor or trusted friend what their thoughts on your situation are. Play worship music–it is hard to feel discouraged for too long when you begin to praise the Lord. Write out your frustrations; sometimes, dumping them out helps relieve the emotion surrounding them.

It is so hard to feel stuck, but the good news is that you can take action to change your perspective. Getting unstuck may take some time, and it is usually a process, so don’t forget to give yourself a little grace. That, plus a new perspective, can open your eyes to the way out of the rut you find yourself in.

Action: Journal your gratitude, reach out to a friend, pour your heart out to the Lord, or worship. Pick any one of these things to help walk you through the process of getting unstuck.

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. Romans 15:4

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23

Prayer: God of Heaven and earth, thank you for being with me even in the stuck places. You know the way out, and I put my trust in you. I know you will show me the next step at exactly the right time. Help me guard my heart against discouragement and help me change my perspective. Please show me what I am missing right now. Help me change my mind, in Jesus’ name. Amen!