Reset

Bonnie Sala: Maybe you've faced rejection, hardship, or injustice. And after a while, discouragement settles in, thinking, "What's the point of trying? Nothing ever changes." I'm Bonnie Sala with Reset. When you've tried and failed, it can feel like you have no choices left. Drati Jonathan from Uganda knows that feeling, but now he also knows there's daily fresh encouragement in relationship with Jesus. Drati lost his job. He was a hard worker but just kept being turned down by every new job he applied for. Each rejection reinforced his belief that nothing would ever change. Then one day, he heard a devotional on the radio with a message of hope that reached him.

He began listening daily. The messages taught him that Jesus offered strength to face each day, even on days when he had nearly stopped trying. Drati also learned about a follower of Jesus named Paul, who knew hardship too. Paul was beaten and imprisoned multiple times because of his faith. It would have been easy for Paul to give up. But instead, Paul declared, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Paul wasn't superhuman. He was just as tired and discouraged as Drati was and as you may be. Like Paul, Drati began to focus his thoughts on God's love and power that he learned was at work even in his struggle.

If you're feeling discouraged today, here's a simple exercise: when a discouraging thought comes, ask, "Is this 100 percent true?" If not, replace it. Instead of "Nothing ever changes," say, "I can take one small step forward with God's help." Drati discovered hope in Jesus on a radio in Uganda. "I'm so glad I discovered it," he says. You can help carry that same hope to discouraged people around the world in their very own language. Give a gift today at guidelines.org.