Discouragement

Discouragement. That is a big, ugly word with a capital “D.”  All of us from time to time have felt it. That dark, deep-down feeling that we are nothing, have no worth, and will never amount to anything. It’s that feeling of despair and hopelessness that nothing will ever work out.

If I were talking face to face with you right now, I would look you directly in the eye, grab your shoulders and shake you (Okay, so I might be more gentle than that, but you get the idea J), and firmly tell you that those feelings are not true. But, don’t just take it from me. Here’s what President Uchtdorf says:

Another way Satan deceives is through discouragement. He attempts to focus our sight on our own insignificance until we begin to doubt that we have much worth. He tells us that we are too small for anyone to take notice, that we are forgotten—especially by God.

Have you ever felt that way before? I certainly have. Sometimes it seems that we are of no value because we’re not famous, not rich, don’t feel like we’ve done anything worthwhile, and this list goes on. Especially for those who are women, sometimes it seems like the day-to-day tasks that we accomplish are so minute and that they will never make a difference. But, once again, these discouraging thoughts are wrong. President Uchtdorf continues:

The Lord doesn’t care at all if we spend our days working in marble halls or stable stalls. He knows where we are, no matter how humble our circumstances. He will use—in His own way and for His holy purposes—those who incline their hearts to Him.

God knows that some of the greatest souls who have ever lived are those who will never appear in the chronicles of history. They are the blessed, humble souls who emulate the Savior’s example and spend the days of their lives doing good.

May I emphasize this statement one more time: “God knows that some of the greatest souls who have ever lived are those who will never appear in the chronicles of history. They are the blessed, humble souls who emulate the Savior’s example and spend the days of their lives doing good.”

lds.org

Wow! How cool is that? God knows us, loves us, and sees the good that we do, even though the world tries to tell us that what we accomplish isn’t worthwhile. Our loving Father in Heaven wants us to trust in Him and realize our true worth as His sons and daughters. I hope that we will all take the time to remember who we really are and cast awful feelings of discouragement out the minute they come into our hearts. Remember: those despairing feelings are not true. Through the infinite power of our Father in Heaven and Christ’s atoning sacrifice, there is always hope.

-Sal