5 Ways That You Can Defeat Discouragement…
Discouragement is a partner to success or failure. Everyone at one time or the other whether they be highly successful or not so successful has felt the gut rinsing pain of discouragement. It is good to know that we will receive a visit sooner or later from that old devil discouragement; that way we can prepare for his arrival. If we know how, we can foil him and defeat him when he comes.
This is an excerpt from an article that appeared in the July 1997 issue of Discoveries magazine:
“Scotty Moore The Guitarist Who Changed The World”
“The last time fans saw Scotty Moore was in 1968, on the legendary NBC – TV ‘comeback’ special, in the segment that featured a homey reunion of Elvis, Moore and Elvis’ early drummer, D J Fontana. Both sidemen had long ago ceased working with Presley, but they’d agreed to take part in this historic program and nostalgic, informal, round the table jam was easily one of the highlights of the highly praised show that gave Elvis’ career a much needed second wind.”
“For Moore, though, the program did not mark on a new beginning, but rather, an end. After that 1968 gig – which also marked the last time he’d ever see or talk to his old friend Elvis alive – Moore put his guitar in the closet and he rarely looked at it for the next 24 years.”
Scotty Moore played a key part in the discovery of Elvis and getting him started on his music career. Elvis first stopped by Sun records and made a personal recording for his mother. Sam Phillips liked the sound well enough to keep Elvis’ name and telephone number. It was over a year later when Sam and Scotty were sitting around drinking coffee and talking about new approaches to music and Sam told Scotty Moore about the young singer and so Scotty called Elvis and set up a time for him to come by his home on a Sunday afternoon in 1954 to listen to him sing. Bill Black, who latter was the base player for Elvis, lived just down the street from Scotty and he also came over. After Elvis left Scotty and bill discussed it and both said while Elvis could sing well, they weren’t deeply impressed. Scotty did however arrange an audition for Elvis at Sun Records. The first part of the session was unimpressive. But then Elvis picked up his guitar and begin to dance around and sing “That’s alright mama” and of course the rest is history.
It seems that Scotty Moore never got the recognition for the great part he played in the discovery of Elvis or the great contribution he made musically to Elvis’ career. Scotty Moore was declared by Rolling Stone magazine in 1954 to be the 44th out of a hundred of the best guitarist in the world for all time.
No doubt after the 1968 experience Scotty was very discouraged, a discouragement that would cause him to turn from that very thing which he did best, play the guitar.
It is easy to let discouragement pull us down and put aside that which is an important part of our life but it doesn’t have to be that way because we can defeat discouragement.
Let’s consider 5 ways that you can defeat discouragement:
1. His visits are just temporary
Yes he is like a spring snow; he pops up suddenly and often unexpected but he can’t stay long unless we allow him to, just like the spring snow that the sun quickly melts away, he also melts away when we apply the sunny side of our life to him.
No matter the cause of our discouragement there is always the sunny side. When we pull out all the times that we have been so blessed, his presence doesn’t seem so bad. The more we think on him the stronger he gets but the more we think on our good times and our blessings, the more he begins to slink away until he is gone.
2. His message is always wrong
He is a false messenger come to lead us in the wrong direction. He wants us to believe that we are worthless and that we will never be able to succeed. He tells us to give it up and throw the towel in. He wants us to feel sorry for ourselves and to believe that we just will never be able to measure up.
All it takes from us is a determination not to believe a lie but to consider the facts about our own abilities to succeed. We must then retrace the course we have been on and decide if it is still a viable road or should we make some corrections. Once we decide we can either get up and brush ourselves off and get back on the proverbial horse and ride again or chart a new course and get back to business.
3. His play is always on the emotions and not the intellect
He knows if he can get us to feeling sorry for ourselves and doubting our abilities he can win. The way to defeat him is through the intellect which has power over the emotions. The intellect says to the emotions, “Quit whining and feeling sorry for yourself and get back to work; you have great things ahead of you; you can’t let a small setback derail you. “
4. He is an enemy who has come to bring harm
Treat discouragement like the enemy he is. He is not there to comfort or to help you. Don’t invite him in and don’t allow him to stay. Recognize him for who he is and know what his intentions are. You can easily defeat him; he is weak; the sunlight of your life will melt him quickly. Kick him out and demand he go and leave you alone.
5. Prayer is discouragement’s greatest enemy
Discouragement can never stand in the presence of prayer. The prayer of a faithful believer can move what seems to be a mountain of discouragement and replace it with the joy of thanksgiving and praise.
Conclusion
Yes, all of us have to struggle with this unwelcome foe called discouragement but the good news is that he is no match for us. He is weak and has no power at all unless we empower him. He will cower in fear and run away when we stand up to him. Oh yes he will come again when the opportunity is right but now you know how to defeat him and pretty soon he will get the message that you will not tolerate his lies and deceit and he will let you alone.
With patience and ease, in an unselfish and purposeful way, over a time period undetermined, and for a good that includes others, I intend for $1,000,000 to come to me and to others who join me in holding to this objective.
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Jimmie Burroughs is the author of JimmieBurroughs.com ; get more tips on personal development: www.JimmieBurroughs.com
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