By: KW
I had an uncomfortable exchange with my wife yesterday that I walked away from feeling totally worthless, inadequate, and super discouraged. In the grip of my distressing emotions, I had two options: to medicate my pain by acting out, or to actually meditate on what had happened, work my program, and dare to grow from the event. With God’s help, I chose the latter.
When those fiery darts came rushing in, I knew I had to:
1) be rigorously honest about what I was feeling rather than trying to escape the truth of that moment, or worse shift blame to my wife;
2) reach out for help and make a few phone calls (because I knew I didn’t have the strength to endure that moment by myself);
3) assess the situation soberly—and zoom out to see how the event was meant to grow me, not humiliate me—as acting out would have not only sabotaged my sobriety, but would have kept me stuck in a cycle of emotional immaturity, and robbed me of an opportunity to grow from the event.
Discouragement is painful though inevitable, but for those with a teachable heart, discouragement can actually become an avenue for self-discovery, emotional maturity, and vigorous recovery. For the weary and discouraged soul, hear the words of the prophet Isaiah today:
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
