Success Comes through Persistent Effort
Once we have firmly established our goals (and only we can determine which are important to us) we must set sail in their direction. This calls for one hundred percent commitment, hard work, raw determination and persistent effort. Only those who start the journey and keep sailing onward will ever reach their destination!
Most people have good intentions and resolve to go all out. But when they meet with unexpected problems, they get discouraged and quit.
Thus they fail! They stop trying! A little more push, a higher reach, a stronger and more powerful self command would likely have made the difference between failure and success.
Either they feel incapable of bearing the pain from exerting effort or they lose confidence in their abilities to forge ahead. The result? They slip backward into a lifestyle that seems more comfortable and less demanding.
But such backsliding brings a penalty — a penalty of deep depression and doubt. The innate desire God placed in them for growth and development has been stifled. The curse of failure becomes evident and takes its toll in forms of guilt, despondency, and varying degrees of self contempt.
Clearly the only sure cure to master discouragement is to establish meaningful goals and grow daily toward their fulfillment.
True Success Comes through Christ
However, in the final analysis the secret of success lies in the power and might of Jesus Christ. We have our part to play, and much is required — but we can only go so far. If we are to accomplish goals that bring lasting success, we must be spiritually united to Christ. This is a vital key!
Jesus said, "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me . . . for without me, ye can do nothing" (John 15:4-5). "For in him we live, and move, and have our being " (Acts 17: 28). "But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth" (Deut. 8:1 8). And again, "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. . ."(Eph. 3:20).
These scriptures clearly prove that human strength alone is insufficient — the power of God is vitally needed.
What does God's Spirit do? It enlightens our minds, opens our understanding, empowers our wills and imparts the courage and motivation to press forward. God's Spirit is an added force or energy, just like the flow of electricity that infuses new life.
Here lies another great pitfall of discouragement. The influences of the Devil and the trials of life can undermine our efforts and desires. But God helps us to circumvent these influences and trials through imparting to us the power of His mighty Spirit. With this new energy which God's Spirit gives, "all things are possible." God will see us through any problem or circumstance as we continue our journey, if we will only believe Him and act on what He says in His Word!
Sin Blocks God's Spirit and Produces Failure
Sin is a force that produces discouragement because it breaks our contact with God and the flow of His Spirit.
Remember, God is the source of our strength and He imparts to us the confidence and power to accomplish our goals — that is, the vision, the courage, and inspiration to move ahead in spite of all odds. "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13). "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phil. 4:13).
Walking with God then in a spirit of willing obedience produces success. But when we sin and break His laws, we cut ourselves off from His power. "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear" (Isa. 59:2).
Thus sin not only blocks the flow of God's Spirit (His life and energy in us) which is vital to our success, but it also creates negative attitudes that bring failure. When we sin, we condemn ourselves and fall prey to depressed moods and syndromes of guilt. Subsequently we lose interest in our goals and direct our energies to other pursuits. Instead of repenting and getting our lives in harmony with God, we run away, hide, and escape to deaden the pain of guilt.
Clearly then sin produces failure, inflicts guilt and destroys our purpose for living. Growth, which is essential to life, has been interrupted.
If we are discouraged we would be wise to see if sin has entered and broken our relationship with God.
Sin makes us Negative and Critical
A subsequent problem which sin causes is that it transforms one into a negative and critical person. This condition naturally follows when the growth principle has been violated.
The subconscious realization that one is sinning, and hence is cut off from God, leads to self-criticism and self disrespect. When we are unhappy with ourselves, we tend to react negatively and critically toward others. Instead of correcting mistakes, we tend to blame others for our problems in life.
On the other hand, when we are growing and overcoming we are genuinely happy and reflect a positive outlook. We tend to express an outward concern for others, and attract many friends. We become a real inspiration to be around.
What is your overall bent toward life — negative or positive? Be honest with yourself. For there is no way you can experience total fulfillment unless you are walking with God and are rooting sin out of your life.
Summary
We have looked at the hidden causes of discouragement. To overcome them we must remember that God created in man a desire to achieve, grow, and succeed. To fulfill this desire we must set goals. The Spirit of God will help us determine what they should be. Goal attainment must be brought into each day and is a step-by-step process. Success is attained through "bite size" accomplishments. We will discover that the daily steps of progress — no matter how small — will give us joy and confidence because they bring us closer to success.
Success comes through diligent effort — there is no genuine achievement without it. Just one more push, a higher reach, a second effort may make the difference between success and failure.
The overall achievement of a successful life can be compared to weaving a beautiful tapestry. The final product is made up of many little fibers. Each thread may not seem that important but when all are put together, they form a beautiful masterpiece.
The Spirit of God blends everything together for the right result. As God works in us and unites us with His mind — we cannot help but be successful. It's guaranteed.
This then is the secret to overcoming discouragement and experiencing a fruitful life.