Dealing With Discouragement

There isn't a person alive who hasn't experienced set-backs; in marriage, in business, in health, in life. Sometimes these set-backs seem too much to bear. Discouragement can be a self-sustaining state or it can be a springboard to the next great thing. Either way, it is not something to be feared.

Fear is really the issue, not discouragement. From personal experience I can attest to feelings of loneliness and despair when negative situations arise. The interesting thing is they always get resolved. In the moment, there is hurt, pain, anger and sadness but there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Always. As I've aged, these tragic moments have become easier to navigate. I suppose life experience does that for a person. My advice when things don't go your way: embrace it. Don't live in denial or play the blame game. Pain and suffering are a part of life. It's okay to feel pain. It's okay to shed a tear. It's okay to admit you messed up. What's not okay is to stay in that place.

The absolute best way to find your way to the other side is to surround yourself with people who support you. Positive association will turn any adversity into an opportunity. Sharing your pain and asking for help and support is your first and most important step. German philosopher Friedrich Nitzsche was spot on when he said "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger."

Sometimes it's as simple as offering a simple prayer of faith, asking God to help you through.

One thing is true: you are not alone in your struggles. You are not the only one this thing has ever happened to. Others have gotten through it and so will you. Plato, back in 400 BC, once said "Courage is knowing what not to fear." There is nothing to be gained by living in fear. We all decide to be happy or not. Once that decision is made it's time to put your head down and climb back to prosperity. If you know in the end "This too shall pass" then dealing with discouragement is something you can do. All that's missing is believing you can do it. You can do it. You can do it. You can do it.