What To Do When You Feel Discouraged

Do you know what to do when you feel discouraged?

You may not want to read this whole blog post.

All the “blah blah blah”… you may grow so weary with it. But thank you for showing up anyway. I love you so.

Just in case you don’t want to read this post, please just read this next paragraph…even if you stop there. Just read that.

I have learned that the hurts and disappoints of past circumstances can rob me of great joy right now and NOW is what I have been given, so I am looking for ways to make the best of NOW.

How ’bout you?

You know, when all you can do is just sit in a chair…folded and crumpled like a wet dish towel?…your energy and mind spent…you got nuttin’, nada, and quite frankly if you did have more to give, why cast it into ungratefulness. Hard work hasn’t paid off. Kindness has been misunderstood. The days are short. More is expected.

You know, when you face palm yourself with the stark realization that your best efforts haven’t been good enough…never will be good enough.

That you are too much and need to stay away?

Do you know how to “pick yourself up by your bootstraps?” What in the world does that mean?

Or wait…maybe you’ve never felt discouraged.

But I admit I have felt discouraged.

I admit I have prayed for miracles…some that didn’t seem to come to pass.

I admit there have been times I didn’t know how things would work out.

And I’ll say, I still don’t know how things will work out.

I’ll say, there are times that I know people don’t like me…

…there are times that I’ve honestly been wronged…

…or that people may feel wronged by me…

…there have been times I said stupid and inconsiderate stuff…

…things have been stolen from me…

…things have been lost…or ruined

…I’ve made dumb mistakes…

...there are things I wish I could change…

You may be discouraged. You MIGHT relate.

Do YOU?

I’ve been with those who are sitting with their head in their hands saying they can’t go on.

I realize there are no easy answers in many situations.

I don’t want this to sound flippant or uncaring.

Sometimes the most simple things can have great impact. I am only giving tips and ideas for baby steps toward change.

I’m not telling you to suck it up buttercup.

I’m not telling you to be happy anyway.

I’m only sharing tips and baby steps toward change, because I realize that sometimes the only emotion we have is gratefulness.

Sometimes we just need someone to hold up a flash light on the step we are on who can say, “I’ve been there”. And then shine the light on the next step and say, “Come over here. This is the way out.”

These are some of the things I do.

What to do when you feel discouraged:

1. Make your bed! Seriously…make your bed.
2. Pray. Remind God of all the stuff. He can take it. He knows anyway.
3. Quote scripture. (such as Romans 8:28 All things work together for good.)
4. Think of someone who needs a helping hand and offer it.
5. Learn something new.
6. Look for something to laugh about.
7. Make a list of 10 things you are grateful for.

Now, this list might not work for you. You may have your own list of what works.Never stop looking for answers and hope.

Your list may not look like my list, but make a list…even if it is just ONE THING you do differently each day. Take baby steps toward encouragement, toward change.

Find someone to talk to that will lend a listening ear and have logical solutions. Don’t just vent to someone who is obligated to listen. I am not a therapist or counselor, but I will listen if you need help.

Please don’t stay stuck.

I will try to help you find answers and direct you to the therapists and counselors that I do know, or give you other ideas for possible solutions.

If you don’t know what to do when you are discouraged and all else fails, reach out…and make your bed.

Please tell me. What do you do when you are discouraged?~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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