We’ve all dealt with more discouragement that we’d like to admit. Working hard toward a goal and running up against obstacles every step of the way. Trying to form a new habit yet defaulting into old behavior. Trying to help someone we care about yet without equal effort on their part.
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The thing about discouragement is that it never just happens all at once—it’s a process. And a relatively predictable one.
4 Steps Toward Discouragement
One of my favorite books in the Bible is the Old Testament book of Nehemiah. Nehemiah accepted God’s call to return to his ancestral city of Jerusalem and rebuild it’s outer wall which had been in ruins for decades.
It was a big project fraught with increasingly difficult challenges all along the way. One of his biggest obstacles came in chapter four when his work force became discouraged halfway into the project timeline.
Without going into an in-depth study of the chapter, there are four steps that led to their discouragement
- Loss of strength (vs. 10). The people were getting physically tired.
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Loss of vision (vs. 10). The mess of the construction project was becoming emotionally overwhelming and they lost sight of their goal.
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Loss of confidence (vs. 10). When you get tired and lose the vision, you lose confidence. Losing that can-do attitude drains all motivation.
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Loss of security (vs. 11). This is the last straw. It could be anything: a change in a close relationship with someone; losing a job; an unexpected financial expense.
This is the general path to discouragement. All steps are worth examination but I want to focus on the first.
You Have To Stay Physically Rested!
Nehemiah and company had been pushing hard for almost a month—long hours, high stress, little rest and no recreation. Probably sounds all too familiar.
They were halfway through the project. The excitement had worn off and the mess of construction was building up. It didn’t feel like they were making any headway.
Halfway in any sizable project can be very discouraging. You don’t have the same energy and enthusiasm as you did when you started. You can’t stop yet you realize you have to do the same amount of work as you’ve done—but now you’re really tired.
Being physically tired affects our emotional strength. We tend to become pessimistic, negative, irritable when tired.
So, the simple preventative thing to do to head off chances of discouragement is to stay rested and recharged.
It’s the reason why I’ve said so often that sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is take a nap!
In addition to getting proper sleep, you need a sustainable pace. Time for good nutrition. Time to de-stress. Time to do things that recharge you. Time with those closest to you.
Do a quick evaluation of your current pace. There are certainly times when we need to roll up our shirtsleeves and push. But those should be the exception and not long-term.
Don’t wait until you find yourself exhausted and discouraged before taking action. Prevention is always easier than recuperation.
Question: How do you make sure you don't push too hard and risk discouragement? Share your answer in the comments below.