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The late William O. Douglas, 1898-1980, rode a freight train from Yakima, Washington, to New York City to study law at Columbia University. He arrived grimy, weary, and hungry, with his clothes in a mess. A rope held his suitcase together. Douglas had six cents in his pocket. Despite much disappointment and sacrifice, seventeen years later he was appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Douglas, characterized as brilliant, eccentric, and independent, holds the record for the longest uninterrupted stay on the Court: thirty-six years and seven months.
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Discouragement arises for each of us at some time or other. To be discouraged is, literally, removal of courage. Emotionally, however, discouragement is a deeply-felt sadness; practically, the sadness can accompany continued efforts to express courage.
Many of us know that success often comes through a period of discouragement. Discouragement, then, is not always a sign that something is essentially wrong. So, during discouragement we might need to remember that faithfulness is more important than the success that seems to evade us.
We see many cases of discouragement in the Bible. Especially Psalms show us how to navigate prayerfully and in spiritual community through discouragement. The Passion of Jesus holds forth an example of moving through deep sadness and apparent failure to a new beginning.
Paul writes to the Corinthians about his helpers and his sharing in difficulties externally and internally for the Church:
7We are like clay jars in which this treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us. 8We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don't know what to do, we never give up. 9In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again. 10-11We face death every day because of Jesus. Our bodies show what his death was like, so that his life can also be seen in us. 12This means that death is working in us, but life is working in you.
*2 Corinthians 4.7-12, CEV
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