Guest Blog: A Cure for Discouragement (Steven Furtick)

Here's some awesome wisdom from Pastor Steven Furtick of Elevation Church...


A cure for discouragement
July 2nd, 2008

One of the best things I can do when I feel my attitude drifting toward discouragement is to switch from defense to offense. Instead of sitting around waiting for someone else to encourage me, I try to go on the attack and encourage someone else.

If I’m feeling down because our attendance isn’t where I want it to be, I might call a pastor who is struggling big time in this area, and try to speak increase over his life and ministry.

If I’m hurting because someone I trusted let me down, I may write a short letter of encouragement to someone who I let down in the past. It helps me keep my own imperfection in perspective when I’m upset by the imperfections of others.

If I’m feeling sorry for myself for a vague, unnamed reason, I like to leave encouraging comments on a few random blogs-especially guys’ whose ministries may not receive a lot of attention-and say a short prayer for those guys.

I’ll bet Satan hates this strategy, because in effect, it turns his heaviest artillery against him. And when I venture away from my dilemma for a few minutes to bless someone else, I often find that the discouragement has greatly subsided by the time I return.

Thanks Pastor Steven

Blessings,
Craig

Winners Verses Losers

Tara found this over at Eric's Blog today.., these are great words to live by! Thanks for sharing Eric!

1. When a winner makes a mistake, he says, "I was wrong."
When a loser makes a mistake, he says, "It wasn't my fault."
(A winner focuses on personal responsibility)

2. A winner makes commitments.
A loser makes promises.
(Focusing on integrity in relationships and following through)

3. A winner says, "I'm good but, not as good as I ought to be."
A loser says, "I'm not nearly as bad as other people."
(Focusing on Christ as the standard)

4. A winner tries to learn from those who are superior to him.
A loser tries to tear down those who are superior to him.
(Focusing on responding to learning from authority)

5. A winner says, "There ought to be a better way to do it."
A loser says, "That's the way it has always been done here."
(Focusing on fear instead of fear)

Be Blessed!
Craig