Crummy Circumstances? Get Going. Do Something. Try.

It is possible to be dealt some genuinely crummy circumstances in life. If this happens we may be tempted to gripe, get discouraged, sulk, question the fairness of this world and get ticked off for a while.

And, you know what? Maybe we need to gripe, get discouraged, sulk, question the fairness of this world and get ticked off for a while. A little while.

But at a certain point—fairly soon, actually—that response will cease to be of any value. And, in particular, it will not be of any constructive value to the person who has been dealt the negative circumstances. It will only be a dead end which will keep the person helpless and stuck. It is not God’s will that anyone should live life helpless and stuck.

The better response will be, with God’s help, to put one foot in front of the other and move forward. Perhaps there will not be a lot that can be done. Okay, do what can be done.

There are people who make it their business to attempt to convince those who face difficult circumstances that they are victims of those circumstances and they will always remain victims of those circumstances. Reject those voices. They are not helping.

Do not remain forever in The Land of Woe Is Me. Get going. Do something. Try. That is how the crummy circumstances are changed and new circumstances—better circumstances—are experienced.

It's Important To Be Encouragers To Each Other

There are all kinds of circumstances in life which can be discouraging. 

You’ve discovered that, already, haven’t you?  Yeah, me too.

Events may occur in which we are tempted to think, “Oh well, what’s the point?”  Or, “why do I bother?”  Or, “nothing I do will make a difference, anyhow.”  Or, “I’m tired of trying anymore.”  Or, “Even when I try to do the right thing it, somehow, becomes an ugly mess.”

So, it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that over and over again in the Bible we are instructed to encourage each other.  Here’s an example, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

We all, from time to time, need encouragement.

The encouragement that is urged in the Scriptures often has to do, specifically, with encouraging each other in matters that have to do with our faith in God.  But encouraging one another in many different ways, areas of life, and pursuits is good, helpful, important and right.

God understands that we live in a fallen world and, therefore, discouragement will come our way.  We have all been in need of that word of encouragement.  So, He calls us to make an effort to be encouragers to each other. One of the nicest, most helpful, most meaningful things we can do is to be the one who gives encouragement to that person who really needed it today!  The act of encouragement really can be one of those small gestures that becomes a big deal for someone.

Don't Be Discouraged

A guy named Paul wrote the following words:

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”  2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Some of the most optimistic people I know can, sometimes, look at the conditions of our world and be discouraged.  Or, they may be dealing with circumstances in their own lives that seem overwhelming and, again, a sense of despair can occur.

Paul’s circumstances were about as difficult as they get.  Discouragement would have been an understandable response for him.  But he did not descend into despair.

Paul writes further on the matter, based on his faith in Christ:

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”  2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Don't Give Up, Keep Doing What Is Right

Sometimes life can feel like it is specifically designed to be hard, frustrating and discouraging.  I’m not joking when I say that I’ve had moments of frustration when it felt like everything I tried to do was way more difficult than it needed to be.  (It’s not true, of course, that everything was difficult, but that’s what it felt like.)  The truth is that life can be very challenging and it does involve struggle, but we don’t want to let that keep us from hoping, dreaming and trying.  Don’t give up.  Keep striving.  Keep doing what’s right.  (I’m challenging myself with this post and I hope you’re encouraged and challenged, too.)

Let's Not Isolate Ourselves... Reach Out For Help

Sometimes when we are feeling discouraged and depressed, we have a tendency to withdraw and isolate ourselves.  That’s exactly what we should not do.  It’s in those times, especially, that we need to reach out for the support, help, love, connection and encouragement of others.