Three ways to conquer discouragement.

I heard the door open to my room, and lifted my fingers off the keyboard. I turned toward the door, “C’mon in, honey,” I said to my three-year-old granddaughter.

But rather than run to me as is her routine, she gave a quick gasp. “I forgot,” she said as she closed the door quickly. Then her little fingers knocked a few times and waited.

“Come in,” I said.

I laughed inwardly. She remembered her manners after the fact.

She’s three; I’m fifty years older, and embarrassed to admit, I do the very same thing!

You might have, too. Life goes on with no major events. But suddenly, we encounter situations where we need to choose. And with boldness in our step and confident in our wisdom, we burst through the door.

And it’s only when that decision, rather than take us to the place we hoped, dumps us in the garbage disposal of disappointment and discouragement. We look around, and the place stinks.

Sniff, sniff. What went wrong?

Here are three ways to conquer that unpleasant disappointment:

1. Avoid it. Instead of plunging ahead—with anything—choosing that Mr. Right, what job to take, where to live or even what shade to color our hair—in prayer, God’s wisdom should be the decision maker. When He invites us in, bad stuff is avoided.
2. Take a long look. Long enough to see options and gain God’s input. This “waiting” period might just clear our head enough to make a decision between the “good” decision and the “God” decision.
3. Pray for God to close the door. I know, sounds silly, but asking God to close the path that doesn’t align with His plans will cancel discouragement and erase disappointments. And sweetly delighted, when He opens the correct door, we walk through, wearing the crown of victory every time.

God smiles with pleasure when we seek His input, deliver the package of worry at His feet, and sit back with an expectant heart and attentive ears, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it’” (Isaiah 30:21.

Father, the long trail of mistakes, the times I walked in before knocking at your door, the places I’ve been with pain and regret are too many to count. But I trust in your power to help me begin again—fully committed and equipped to follow your ways to avoid disappointment and discouragement. In Jesus’ name, amen.

• What regrets keep you awake at night?
• What lessons have you learned?
• What keeps you from seeking His input, from looking for His lead and from trusting in His ways?