DISCOURAGED? TRY AGAIN

…Introspection Time with JBM

MORE than 4 years now, I recall my first born son struggle with his academic performance while in his final grade at a secondary school.

The results of his class tests and mock exams were not the best especially in maths and sciences. I remember seeing a discouraged face on my son during parent’s visitation and he appeared to have lost all hope in ending with good results at his grade twelve exams.

As parents, all we could do was to encourage him that there was still hope for him to do well academically as he was key to the desired end.

He shared at a later stage how he ‘got annoyed’ with life by engaging in some deliberate strategy of waking up early hours to study his success through.

He became so consistent in his strategy until he felt a sense of confidence in his weakest subjects. Did it pay off? Of course with amazing and un-believable grades to secure him a place in a university!

Like many of us, personally I have encountered very discouraging life’s moments pushing me to give up. There have been times when I have even felt disappointed in God not having had seemingly responded to my prayers.

I have sometimes gone through the process of questioning God’s existence and His power. Discouragement is a feeling of being less confident or less hopeful or enthusiastic about doing something (Cambridge Dictionary).

This human emotion is commonly and frequently experienced but rarely talked about. Yet it has such a devastating effect that if one does not arise from its lethal attack, life becomes unbearable.

Discouragement, as poised by Dennis Rainey, the president and CEO of family life, normally neutralizes one’s optimism to the extent of assassinating hope and erasing all forms of courage.

I call it a silent killer of dreams and hidden potential in man, aimed at short circuiting what God has in store for you in terms of achievements and the impact you are supposed to exert in life.

It is normal to be discouraged. But it should not be acceptable to stay discouraged as this is a tool the enemy of progress uses to demobilize you and render your dreams, ideas and potential null and void.

As you root out discouragement, it is time to TRY AGAIN on that dream, business idea, strategy, academics and projects among others. Determine to TRY AGAIN and realise that not all closed doors are locked. So with a bit of your effort and determination you should begin to experience some shift in your moments.

Have you given up because discouragement has taken residence in you? Try again in applying for that job, or implementing a business idea, or executing a strategy you believe can yield positive results.

Have a stubborn refusal to feel discouraged at every set back you face in life, because in you are seeds of greatness.

Quote;

Thousands of successful people did not achieve success on their first try, but they were not discouraged. They picked themselves up and went back at it with an even stronger, single minded tenacity to achieve their goal (Catherine Pulsifier).

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)

For the next version of introspection Time with JBM, check Kalemba every Wednesday.

Author: Joan Beulah Mute, is a Lecturer in Research Methods, Sociology and Law and Ethics in Public Health at the University of Lusaka.

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