Rome wasn’t built in a day, so the saying goes. It took time.
Discouragement is not eliminated in a moment, day, or week. It takes time. The focus of your thinking needs time to change. Our thinking needs to leave the rut and jump onto the highway of progress. It’s our going forward that will diminish our depressing thoughts of the past.
Whatever brought about the despair needs to be eliminated. If it’s financial, one payment after another will eventually reach the paid in the full mark. Hurt feelings may get an apology. Then again, maybe not. But even if there is no, “I’m sorry,” let it go and move on. The other individual will have to deal with themselves and their emotions. But then maybe they will not. If you have debilitating injuries making permanent hindrances, make the necessary adjustments and go on. Things may not ever be the same, but God can still use you.
Learning and changing are part of progress. At times, the adjustment is unpleasant. But that is what life is all about. I’m glad for the change, at least, some of them. For example, I’m a slow typist. Manual typewriters are considered obsolete. So are electric typewriters. Computers are today’s wonders. Most have programs where you can speak, and voila! Words appear. Someone invented this technology for me. Sure, I make corrections because of my diction, but it is still faster than a manual typewriter.
We cannot let the old hinder progress. Neither should we allow discouragement to handicap our future. Progress is all about moving on. You can take the past with you, but do not let it tie you down. Experience is preparatory for the future. Progress may move slowly in our lives, but at least we’re going forward.
Attitude is our biggest hindrance or help. Improvement is the foundational motive for most of our desires. Desires to go forward and help others, including ourselves, are necessary for progress. When we focus on something or someone other than our discouragement, progress happens. Without it, the future looks dim. What do you see in your future? Change or the refusal to change? Only if you are committed to progress will you overcome the discouragements of life.
