This probably won't apply to you, but you might know someone who gets emotionally leveled with feelings of worthlessness. A goal is missed (again), someone makes a comment about weight, another less than expected paycheck or a sale falls through, a certain sin has crept back in or a mistake from the past is brought back up, and what might have been a great day ends up in the toilet.
I won't be singing, “Just Put On A Happy Face” here. I'm punching the keyboard under a wet blanket of my own disappointments. But I'm writing this to remind myself and that friend of yours of a few important things.
1. These feelings will pass. Valleys don't go on for ever. Even the Grand Canyon comes to an end and gives way to level ground. Psalms 30:5 says, For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Tomorrow really is a new day, and a good night's sleep may be exactly what's needed to bring on a new perspective.
2. Instead of dwelling on the problem, focus on solutions. There are usually many ways out of a bad situation. But we won't see them if we aren't open and looking. If we know what needs to be done – do it. If we don't know what needs to be done, let's humble ourselves, and ask someone who does. Proverbs 15:22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
Negative feelings serve a purpose in our lives. I believe they're connected to the conscience to get us to make corrections. If we can see it like that, we'll be better off. But If we've made corrections and the feelings still throw us into a tailspin mentally, it's time to tell our feelings to take a hike! One way to do this is by declaring the scriptures to ourself, the enemy, and the air around us. Psalm 34 is a favorite of mine. Open up your KJV Bible and speak this out loud when you're getting beat up.
3. Be content with or even celebrate small victories. I didn't get into some of the messes I've found myself in overnight. It was a decision here, a choice there over a period of weeks, months or years. Unfortunately, I probably won't be getting out of those situations in twenty-four hours either. It will probably take weeks, months or years to fix.
The hook is that if we have unrealistic expectations of progress, we might trigger feelings of failure again. Instead, let's rejoice over every little step in the right direction. Many small victories make a big win!
Failure is part of life. How we handle it is what's most important. The American auto maker and pioneer of the assembly-line production method, Henry Ford said, “Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.” What a great perspective.
The emotional side of failure is sometimes tricky to get through. But, no matter how bad things may look or how we feel right now remember this:
1. These feelings will pass. Valleys don't go on for ever. Even the Grand Canyon comes to an end and gives way to level ground. Psalms 30:5 says, For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Tomorrow really is a new day, and a good night's sleep may be exactly what's needed to bring on a new perspective.
2. Instead of dwelling on the problem, focus on solutions. There are usually many ways out of a bad situation. But we won't see them if we aren't open and looking. If we know what needs to be done – do it. If we don't know what needs to be done, let's humble ourselves, and ask someone who does. Proverbs 15:22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
Negative feelings serve a purpose in our lives. I believe they're connected to the conscience to get us to make corrections. If we can see it like that, we'll be better off. But If we've made corrections and the feelings still throw us into a tailspin mentally, it's time to tell our feelings to take a hike! One way to do this is by declaring the scriptures to ourself, the enemy, and the air around us. Psalm 34 is a favorite of mine. Open up your KJV Bible and speak this out loud when you're getting beat up.
3. Be content with or even celebrate small victories. I didn't get into some of the messes I've found myself in overnight. It was a decision here, a choice there over a period of weeks, months or years. Unfortunately, I probably won't be getting out of those situations in twenty-four hours either. It will probably take weeks, months or years to fix.
The hook is that if we have unrealistic expectations of progress, we might trigger feelings of failure again. Instead, let's rejoice over every little step in the right direction. Many small victories make a big win!
Failure is part of life. How we handle it is what's most important. The American auto maker and pioneer of the assembly-line production method, Henry Ford said, “Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.” What a great perspective.
The emotional side of failure is sometimes tricky to get through. But, no matter how bad things may look or how we feel right now remember this:
Well, don't say we didn't warn you!
Things
Could Always
Be Worse!
Again, the anger, bad mood, depression will pass. It's probably not the best time to make any important decisions. Rather, let's take all the feelings, mood swings, and tears and put them and ourselves on the altar, Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1 Peter 5:7)
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