The Wedge of Discouragement

One day the devil was having a sale, hawking his many diabolical tools of the trade. On display, with their price tags attached, were all the devil's tools and weapons: The arrows of jealousy, the hammer of anger, the dagger of worry, the slingshot of doubt, the axe of hatred and numerous others.

But one tool stood out above them all. Displayed prominently on a pedestal high above the rest of his wares was showcased, "The Wedge of Discouragement."

Intrigued by this little tool, which was dented and worn with use, a curious shopper inquired about the price, because the wedge cost more than all the other tools combined.

"Ah yes," said the devil, "THAT is my favorite tool of all. You see, it's so easy to use. It hardly takes any effort. All I have to do is get the very tip of the wedge into my victim and the rest is easy. Once the wedge is in, I just tap it ever so slightly and it slides in deeper and deeper.

"Sometimes I don't have to do anything - my victims drive the wedge in deeper all by themselves! A small opening soon becomes a gaping crack, making room for the rest of my tools. Before you know it, my wedge has completely split a person's dreams, hopes and aspirations in two."

"That's why the wedge of discouragement commands such a high price - because it's my most effective tool. It has opened more doors for me than all my other tools combined."

The moral of this fable is obvious and so true, isn't it? The smallest bit of discouragement can split your dreams apart - if you let it.

Taking the first step toward a fitness, bodybuilding or weight loss goal is seldom spontaneous. I know people who thought about competing in bodybuilding or fitness for YEARS before they mustered up the courage to set the goal and start the training (let alone stand onstage in a "teeny bikini!") Many people spend months "thinking about it" before they finally join a gym and get started.

So much planning, thought, time and effort go into overcoming inertia just to get the ball rolling... and what happens? You hit ONE rough patch (you always do), and you allow the wedge the tiny opening it needs. You stray from your diet, miss some workouts, sustain an injury, or more often than any other reason; you simply don't see results fast enough. One little setback or challenge and you become hopelessly discouraged.

It's a pity how easily most people are discouraged, because reaching your goals will occur with mathematical certainty if you consistently follow proven principles and natural laws. Too many people get discouraged or quit before they allow the required gestation period to elapse.

If you planted a tree in your backyard, you would know for certain it would grow, as long as you provided the necessary conditions. If you planted it in good soil, nurtured it, and provided it with water and sunlight, your seed would sprout and grow towards the sky as sure as the night follows the day.

Goals are like seeds and they require time to take root and sprout. Getting discouraged just because you have a setback or you don't see your body transform "overnight" is silly. It's denying nature's immutable laws. Becoming negative or quitting because you don't see results fast enough is like digging up your seeds to see if they're growing down there (killing them in the process).

If you're nurturing your "goal seeds," OF COURSE they're growing! Have you ever watched the grass grow in your yard? You don't actually SEE each blade getting taller, but you KNOW it's growing because every week you have to mow your lawn! Sometimes getting in shape is like watching the grass grow - it really tests your patience. Don't EVER let that discourage you! Keep moving forward confidently in the direction of your goals.

It's ok to have BIG, magnificent goals, but allow a reasonable time frame for achieving them. Shun the quick fix and cultivate the virtue of patience. Impatience leads to frustration. Frustration leads to discouragement. Discouragement, allowed to fester and grow, is the dream destroyer.

When discouragement strikes - and it will, right along with its brethren, doubt and fear - see it as an opportunity to get stronger. All progress and growth occur against resistance. The lumberjack says, "The stronger the wind, the stronger the trees, good timber does not grow with ease." Just as muscles grow against resistance, the strength of your will also grows when exercised against resistance. You can't become a strong person unless you experience setbacks, challenges and discouragement and then overcome them. Life's challenges were meant to be met head on and mastered - and in doing so, you become master.

It's been said that when God wants to give you a gift, he wraps in up in a problem. Your current problem, difficulty, or whatever is making you feel discouraged, is your great opportunity! Each time you feel discouraged and press on in spite of it, you get tougher. Your skin gets thicker as if a callous were forming. Eventually, you forge an impenetrable armor against the onslaught of discouragement's wedge and all the other tools that destroy the dreams of weaker men and women. You gain the faith and confidence to look in the mirror and KNOW you'll reach your goal eventually, even though you don't see dramatic changes on a day to day basis.

Make a commitment today, right NOW: Decide that you will never give up when you feel discouraged, but instead, you will see discouragement as your signal to dig in and work even harder, which will make you a stronger person. Decide that you will conquer discouragement, and in so doing, become more resolved, more determined, and stronger than ever. Make the commitment today!

"To be undiscouraged and undismayed by whatever turn of fortune is encountered is always a mark of maturity and enlightenment."nn- Uell S. Anderson. "The Magic In Your Mind."