There are times / seasons of life when you will experience discouragement. Sometimes well-meaning Christians (or other people) will say there must be something wrong with you, mentally, physically or spiritually. Most often that is not the case. We know it’s a condition of human life, a part of the human nature we have. Maybe it’s our metabolism, our physical make up, our hormones. Often times, we may not understand why we are discouraged.
Here are some tips for times of discouragement.
Trust God.
First and foremost, know that God is working even in discouraging situations. He is in control, and He has not abandoned you.
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6
Pour out your heart to God.
Even when you don’t know how to pray, what to say, pour our your heart to God, and the Spirit will make your request to God.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. – Romans 8:26 & 27
Exercise
Physical activity will help you to re-focus. Go for a walk or run. If nothing else, you can do some pushups, or squats, or jumping jacks. Get your blood flowing and your mind focused on the physical activity.
Go somewhere.
A change of scenery helps to restore your mood, and can get you out of your own thoughts. Go somewhere, try to get away from your routine environment. Maybe go for a walk, if possible get outside, go to a park, go to a mall, or to a store, just outside, even to a drive in restaurant or just go for a drive.
Talk to an upbeat friend / relative.
Don’t talk about problems. Just talk, listen, share, laugh.
22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine – Proverbs 17: 22
This will pass. Focus on the eternal.
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.