Country living is exciting.  Every day is a new adventure.  The opportunities to learn and challenge yourself never end.  Freedom, family life, peace and quiet—aren’t these things we all crave?

However, forewarned is forearmed, so here it comes:

Sooner or later you are going to become tired of the whole thing.  You will feel overwhelmed, overburdened, and burned out.

You may or may not be able to believe it right now while you are still running on adrenaline.  However, you are guaranteed to feel discouraged eventually, and it could be because of any number of things.

It could be:

• The wearing battle with pests and predators.
• A catastrophic weather event.
• The inevitable learning curve.
• Long hours with little reward.
• A tough struggle to break even.
• Slow sales at the farm store.
• Criticism from city-dwelling friends.
• Murphy’s Law in action.
• A touch of boredom for no apparent reason at all.

 

A Word of Encouragement

Whatever form it takes, discouragement is bound to come, so prepare yourself.  God has given you a purpose to fulfill.  Fulfill it!  Let nothing stop you from pursuing the mission you have been assigned.  Do not look to the left hand or to the right, but straight ahead at the path laid out for you.  Make a commitment right now not to throw in the towel, however tempting it may seem.  You do not stand alone.

And to those of you who have already reached the dry spell, take heart!  It will pass.  Again, remember that you are not struggling on alone.  There’s no telling what miracles can be brought to pass through hardship.  The only way to find out is to carry on.

 

Dealing With the Dry Spell

Meanwhile:

• Take some time to remember why you wanted to live the country way in the first place.
• Re-read an inspiring book.
• Count your blessings.
• Pray for the strength to go on.
• Talk things over with someone close to you.
• Research your particular problem and come up with a plan of attack.
• Take a little time off.
• Revisit your vision.

This list of suggestions could go on.  Only you know what will work in your particular case.  The point is to regroup so that you’re ready to carry on with renewed courage.

 

Carry On

Country living is not easy.  Disasters will happen, and it seems to be a maxim of life that everyone must grapple with burnout sooner or later.  But if you are going to fulfill your unique purpose, you must carry on anyway.  You can’t quit when the adrenaline runs out.  You must discipline yourself to work through it.

Only those who persevere will realize their vision.

 

Next Week: Part 4 – Focus

 

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