Discouragement from Outcomes
Experiencing discouragement can leave us feeling heavy. Some of the most discouraging moments in life surround us when we focus on the outcomes outside our own control.
We experience discouragement when our internal focus is centered around an external outcome.
My Story
I’ve personally experienced discouragement by:
- Overanalyzing whether or not the girl I like admires me.
- Focusing too much on whether or not I will be a good candidate for the job or career I’m pursuing.
- Caring about what others think of me.
- Fearing losing something I hold dearly to, whether a relationship, a job, or a situation.
When I focused on the outcomes of my behavior, fear dominated my sense of peace.
By focusing on my actions, however, I discovered my sense of peace immensely outweighed my fears.
Centering myself around the aspects of the situation I could control gave me the strength to produce a successful outcome.
That’s not to say I influenced the outcome of the situation by my behavior alone. The girl I ask out could still say no. The position I was applying for could still deny me. Others could still judge the actions I took.
Even though I still couldn’t control the outcome, I slept better at night when I gave the situation I was in my best effort. I found satisfaction in doing the best I could.
Strength and Success from Mastering our Actions
Abundant strength is found in choosing our own actions over hoping for a beneficial outcome.
When we measure success by the seeds we sow rather than the harvest we reap, we experience satisfaction and inner strength.
Our success is measured by:
- The love we give, not the praise we receive.
- The contributions we make, not the reward we earn.
- Our present actions, not our future trials
- The work we put in, not the wages we put out.
- The efforts we make today, not the triumphs we overcame yesterday
You will never feel satisfied when looking through the lens of what you get out of life. Only when we begin to master the art of giving do we begin to succeed.
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” – Acts 20:35 NIV
Applications
What situations, circumstances, and/or outcomes have you been drawing too much attention to?
Are there areas in your life where over–analysis has led to paralysis?
Finish the following sentences:
The current outcomes I need to focus on less are…
Future situations I’ve been giving too much attention to are…
The actions I need to pay more attention to in order to produce a better outcome are…
Prayer
Lord, help me to overcome the discouragement I currently face.
Give me the strength to find peace when I face outcomes I don’t desire.
Allow me to be more satisfied in the actions I do take as I live out my faith in you, in Jesus’ name, amen.