Walking out of Discouragement – My Recipe

 

Ingredients:

Hope – honestly assess my hope level. The amount is not so much the important part, just being honest and having a gauge for where I’m starting. Remind myself that my hope, however small, is not in myself anyway. I can’t generate hope, but I do have access to more! 

Do I believe there is a solution? -   If I don’t believe there is a solution, my brain will not look for one. But if I believe change is possible, then I will persist in finding a way to bring it about.

Testimonies – remember the times my joy has been restored in the past. Remember the things I enjoy, my victories and times of overcoming adversity. 

Faith – Return to Hebrews 11:6 Mark 9, and remember the significance of “enough faith”. Faith is necessary, but even a little is enough. I can bring both my faith and my doubt to Jesus. Remind myself that I have faith that God exists and that He is good to me. That amount of faith IS enough!

Steps:

The most important thing is to just begin, take a small step or two and trust that from there, it will become increasingly easier.

Determine what I will focus on. -  I actually get to decide what increases and what decreases. If I continue to focus on the problem and all that is going wrong, I can expect my discouragement to increase and deepen. But if I make the conscience and determined choice to find the little things that are going well, the good things and focus there instead, I will become increasingly encouraged. I have found it to be true: we will find what we are looking for!

Separate out the issues I am facing and take small steps:  The majority of the time there are several factors or issues contributing to discouragement or times of anxiety. Looking at the whole mess is overwhelming, whereas separating out the individual issues can be empowering. Identifying contributing factors, even making a list is so helpful. I try to identify the root of the issues; What is causing my discouragement? If I’m angry or stressed, I look for the deeper issue that is fueling that feeling. Am I afraid of something? Am I disappointed?

Make a list of declarations for this season:  My thoughts and my words are critically important. If I want faith and encouragement to grow then I need to speak and hear it. My words will either build my faith or my doubt.

Make a Plan – Be intentional about doing some things I enjoy each day. Get outside in the sun. Pray and read scripture. Listen to music that makes be happy and peaceful. Pay attention to what I’m grateful for and be intentional about encouraging others. Take small steps to address the underlying issues and look for results. Celebrate progress not perfection. Be gracious with myself.

Ask for Help – Discouragement increases in isolation. Share with a couple trusted friends what is going on and that I am tempted to isolate. This is helpful for not remaining isolated and to reinforce that I am not alone.

Remember the 3 P’s -  My friend Steve once gave a message at our church about facing adversity. I’ll always remember the wisdom he shared, in the form of 3 words starting with “P”. Sometimes I go back to my notes, sometimes I return to the podcast to re-listen to the message. It encourages me!  Here’s the message in a nutshell: when in a storm (adversity) it is critical to remember that it is not 1. Personal (things may be in chaos around me, but that is not an identity statement, I am not chaos!) 2. Pervasive (adversity in one area of life, doesn’t mean that every area is failing or in crisis. Limit the extent of impact!) 3. Permanent (a hard season doesn’t last forever; this too shall pass).

 

 The Illustration that Helps Me Persevere:

I image a trail through the forest to a waterfall. I imagine that I’ve been to the waterfall before and I have a vague idea of where it is. I just need to find the trail! I need to keep going, believing that I will get there again. I focus on my memory of the waterfall; the beauty of looking at it, listening to it as I get closer. I remember the cool mist, the cold water and the roar of it hitting the rocks. Even if the trail is overgrown and not an open worn-down path; I know I can find it. I have been here before. I have walked this path and found my way. I will get to the waterfall – I am determined! 

My life has been like this with seasons of discouragement and depression. I have found my way many times to the refreshing flow of life, where everything is green and alive with beauty. When I’m discouraged, all I see are the dense trees and thick bushes. It is hard to see the path. I focus on the memory of the waterfall and I repeat over and over to myself that I have found my way there before. There IS a path, because I have made it!  My feet have walked this way many times and I have always found my way.

The hardest steps are in the beginning – So I just start taking steps; believing that I will get to the waterfall again.