Article November 7, 1994 Issue

Refuse to be discouraged

Marian Cates

At times our lives move along nicely. We have what we need and then some; life seems not only fair but generous. Then there are other times when some particular challenge—or series of challenges—may tempt us to feel bogged down.

That's when we need to be especially careful to hold our thought courageously to the standard of the Christ—confident in God's beneficent control over all. Turning to the New Testament, we can find comfort and inspiration in Christ Jesus' unparalleled spiritual poise and confidence in the face of severe challenges from angry mobs and hostile civil and religious leaders. And we can do our best to follow his teachings and example by steps both great and small, remembering that each Christly step, no matter how tiny it seems to us, is a step Godward.

One idea that's been helpful to me during trying times is that the temptation to feel discouragement and self-pity is really an invitation to feel worse. Whereas, moral courage and self-immolation help us to feel stronger, even in the midst of troubles.

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