Every day, I get messages from readers who are looking for encouragement and solutions for their financial situations. It might be a never-changing credit card balance that has a reader down in the dumps. Or a letter might arrive from someone who's made tremendous progress with repaying debt but then started down that terrible path again.

Perhaps today that person is you. Do you feel as if the burden you carry is far too heavy to bear? Do you feel like a complete loser because while everyone else you know is doing so well, you're in worse shape than ever -- and ashamed to admit it?

Well, take heart. It's a rare person who doesn't get discouraged from time to time. You wouldn't be human if you didn't go through difficult times. Rather than give up, arm yourself with the emotional tools you need to get through.

NEVER AT NIGHT. You have noticed that things always seem worse at night. That is why I decided years ago never to make a decision greater than what to eat for dinner after the sun goes down. And I try not to ponder difficult situations at night, either. Invariably, I discover things always appear brighter in the morning.

GET REAL. You may be discouraged over a situation that took many years to create. Now you want everything to change overnight. That probably is not going to happen! It will require patience and perseverance. Be realistic and willing to take things one step at a time, even when all you can take is a baby step.

WRITE. There's nothing more beneficial to a cluttered mind than a sense of order.

Grab a pencil and paper, and start writing. Now organize your thoughts. Boil it down to realistic steps. Before you know it, you will have devised a plan to gain control over your emotions and your situation.

I know of no better way to illustrate the value of courage, persistence and perseverance than by giving you a quick overview of one man's life:

Age 22: Failed in business. Age 23: Ran for state legislature and was defeated. Age 24: Again failed in business. Age 25: Elected to state legislature. Age 26: Sweetheart died. Age 27: Had a nervous breakdown. Age 29: Defeated for speaker of the state legislature. Age 31: Defeated for elector. Age 34: Defeated for Congress. Age 37: Elected to Congress. Age 39: Defeated for Congress. Age 46: Defeated for Senate. Age 47: Defeated for vice president. Age 49: Defeated for Senate. Age 51: Elected president of the United States.

That is the record of Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln's deep conviction that God had given him a commission to fulfill accounted for his deep humility and ability to push on in the face of difficulties and failures that would have discouraged most people.

No matter what difficulty you are facing today, I want to encourage you to persevere. As long as you are headed in the right direction, even the baby steps count. So hold on, and never, ever give up!

Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com and author of 17 books, including "Debt-Proof Living." You can e-mail her at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2135, Paramount, CA 90723. To find out more about Mary Hunt and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
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