You have walked through one of the most excruciating seasons in modern history.
Let that sink in for a moment. Don’t try to tame it or talk yourself out of it. Though you may have differing levels of pressures and stress, our world feels upside down since March.
Perhaps, you may have started to believe things would get better in the next few weeks. Like you, I pray they would, but they might not change right away. Yes, this season shall pass. It can feel a lot longer than expected.
I talk with numerous pastors, leaders, friends, and family who feel discouraged. The mounting anxiety and uncertainty have carried a toll. Each decision carries a weight of moving the goalposts and expected criticism from a group of people.
Last night, I had the opportunity to watch Pastor Rod Loy from First Assembly of God North Little Rock give this heartfelt message:
You might not be a pastor, but I’m sure that you can resonate with much of what Rod says. Whether you work in the marketplace, education, government, medical, and as a first responder, you have felt this season’s exhaustion.
If you feel discouraged today because of this long season, I want to encourage you today with three thoughts:
Don’t give up.
Don’t give up on your calling. Don’t give up on your family. Don’t give up on the people you serve. Perhaps in this challenging season, God has placed you exactly where you need to be. I love how Rod talked about the friends he can call when he wants to give up. Find those life-giving friendships. Stand with each other.
Offer as much grace as possible.
If you lead, you will most likely sit on the other side of venting, frustration, and feedback. Know that many of those conversations came from a general feeling of people not having control. My wife constantly reminds me not to take things personally. You may need to shorten the conversations. Offering grace slows us down long enough to lower our defenses.
Find one thing to look forward to a day.
Take a walk. Cook a new meal. Play catch with your kids. Run around the block. Part of self-care in discouraging seasons means creating space to get to renew our hearts and minds. Carve out the time each day, even if it means ten-fifteen minutes.
I’m praying for you today, friend. You are not alone. I hope you can sense God’s grace in radical ways. Find the people who bring life to you and be that person for someone else.
What messages would you give to others that are discouraged? Share in the comment section below.
Photo by Sydney Sims on Unsplash