Would you enjoy an activity if you continually failed week after week? Over 11 long weeks, I learned that "no" is the answer to this question.

Nine friends and I formed an indoor soccer team that we assumed would be very good. We registered for the top league with confidence that our combined skills would enable us to succeed. We were wrong. Each week we laced up our cleats at the complex less hopeful as we observed the skill and finesse of the opponents.

Instead of doing proper warm-ups, I found myself watching the other team slam the ball against the wall—and feeling bad for our goalie who would try to block those incredible shots. Each week we improved as a team, but we faced better opponents. Even though two were close, we lost every game we played. It finally came down to the fact that we lost motivation.

No motivation, no progress

Staying motivated is often a challenge when we're constantly facing trials. Repeatedly getting pushed down when it appears that there's no possibility to succeed makes finding the will to persevere seem far from our reach. Sometimes life is hard.

Yet acknowledging that a trial is difficult is totally different from letting it get the best of us.

Consider the story of Job in the Bible. He was pushed to the limit and lost everything—and then had to deal with three friends and a wife who only helped frustrate him further. It would have been so easy for him to give up and blaspheme God.

The Employment Situation Summary from the U.S. Department of Labor recently reported that there are 1.1 million discouraged workers (those who are not currently looking for work because they believe no jobs are available for them) in the United States. This is an increase of 366,000 from 2009. Many people face troubles, but it takes motivation to withstand discouragement!

How to out-motivate discouragement

There's a powerful scripture that helps you face discouraging challenges. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6).

By putting your trust in God, you can eliminate the stress of trying to do everything on your own. Refocus and remember what's truly important in your life. Where do you find enjoyment? Focus on this.

Who could give you encouragement during your trial? Give them a call.

The point is that, just as He did for Job, God will continue to work with us if we endure whatever challenges we face. "Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful" (James 5:11).

As frustrating as the soccer league was, I can look back on it and laugh. Motivation, perseverance and dedication were needed each week as we continued to lose games. Yet we gave it our best and we remembered the real reason we signed up in the first place—it was something we loved to do.

Maintaining focus and trusting God will help us endure life's many trials. Read more about this in the article "How Far Will We Trust God?" VT