7 Ways to Deal with Discouragement

Discouragement will come into a person's life. However, it doesn't have to stay. There are ways to give it a very short shelf life. There are ways to move on to greater things without being discouraged.

Discouragement: Definition

If you have ever been discouraged, then you know what it means and what it feels like. According to the dictionary, discouragement is the belief that you have lost confidence, courage, and encouragement. You become downcast and dispirited.

It is so important to let it be a passing phase. Therefore, do not give your discouragement squatters' rights. The length of time it lingers depends on you. Try the following seven ways to turn your discouragement into encouragement in a very short time.

1. Examine Yourself

No one has to be stuck. Sometimes people don't even know why they are discouraged. In those cases, look within and examine yourself to determine the cause. Pinpoint what triggered the bad emotion. That will help you determine why you feel that way.

2. Admit That You Are Discouraged

It is easier to deal with something if you admit that it exists. Acknowledge that you are discouraged. Call it by its name in your prayers. Instead of denying that you are discouraged, admit it and acknowledge what you are experiencing.

3. Face Discouragement

Once you have mastered steps 1 and 2, you will be ready to face your discouragement head-on if you want it to go away.

It is like going through a dark tunnel. If you keep driving, you will eventually get to the other side, where you will see the light. Get started, go, and don't stop until you see the light at the end of the tunnel of discouragement.

4. Don't Let Discouraging Things Pile Up

Try to handle each bout of discouragement as it happens. Don't let things pile up before dealing with them. Don't wait until you have a list of things to be discouraged about.

5. Discouragement or Disappointment?

Do not confuse discouragement with disappointment. The result of both of them is a bad feeling, but the two feelings are different.

You might feel disappointed if you don't get what you expect to get. However, that doesn't mean you will automatically become discouraged about it. You can be disappointed without being discouraged, and you can be discouraged without being disappointed. Learn the difference between the two feelings.

READ How to Turn a Disappointment into an Appointment.

6. Pray About Your Discouragement

Pray about your discouragement. After all, God can handle it much better than you can.

Remember, in Step 2 you admitted the reality of your feeling to yourself. Now, admit it to God and let Him help you. David prayed about his discouragement.

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. (Psalm 42:11)

7. Meditate

Meditation can help with anything that bothers you, including discouragement. Meditate and focus on the end result you desire.

A Stepping Stone to Greater Things

This might sound strange, but you can grow through what you are going through. God might use your discouragement to move you to another level in your spiritual development. It could be a stepping stone to something greater.

There will be times of discouragement in everybody's life. However, nobody has to be stuck in that feeling if the above steps are followed.

Survey: Have you ever been discouraged?

• 88% YES
• 10% NO
• 2% CAN'T REMEMBER