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The Men of Iron Minute

by Chad Zueck | Director of Content Creation

5 Ways to Fight Discouragement and Confusion

I think it is safe to say that we would all like to know there is a proven path. We admire the efforts of Lewis and Clark or Boone and Crockett because men like risk and adventure. The rush of the waves or the thrill of an early morning hunt draw near to the souls of men. In addition, we are geared for results. We don’t like aimlessly plugging away without a hopeful future in mind. Without results, we end up discouraged and without a path forward we become confused. I have seen these in my own life, and I am sure you have seen them in yours. How can we keep from getting discouraged and being confused? I have been pondering this quote from Seneca, the Roman Stoic philosopher, and within it there are answers.

 

“If a sailor doesn’t know to what port he is sailing, no wind is favorable.” – Seneca

 

Here are five ways to keep from getting discouraged and confused on your journey into manhood. And make sure to check out Part 1 of the podcast series – “5 Ways to Fight Discouragement & Confusion.”

 

Find the wind

The wind is God given and personally experienced. Simon Sinek calls it your “why.” It’s the thing that makes your heart come alive. It’s the place where longings and dreams come true. The wind has been referred to as “flow” and I like to think of it as a mystical way of living an unforced life. A key to remember is patiently waiting for God to move is not the same as passivity.

 

Build a sail

A sail captures the wind and harnesses it to steer a vessel. Develop a way of learning and experiencing life where you become a friend of knowledge and a companion of wisdom. Build systems and rhythms of life where you allow the gospel to develop your aptitude and attitude towards leaning.

 

Ride the waves

Men, you need grit and determination as well as joyful discovery. The waves come crashing and men need to learn to be one with the adversity or be crushed by it. The waves provide deeper faith, mystery and character forming joy!

 

Enjoy your crew

Enjoy the people around you after choosing them wisely. Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20 (NIV2011) We all need people that we can pray and play together. These people are God given gifts for pleasure and purpose.

 

Know your port

Know where you’re going and who you hope to have become on the journey. Seneca is talking about the destination of life’s choices. With the Spirit’s exquisite touch, Paul dropped this, “Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3:20

 

Be a mentor.

Find a mentor.

Be a new man.

Contact our team today to find out how you can become a mentor, find a mentor and be a better man! And DO NOT forget to check out The Men of Iron Podcast – 5 Ways to Fight Discouragement & Confusion