How does one keep oneself motivated to follow the path of dhamma?

As a lay Buddhist, given that it is terribly difficult to attain to Nimmata or the Jhana and at point when Nirvana seems to be just a wishful thinking able to be attained by superhuman ability and exertion, **how does one motivate oneself to continue?** Every single meditation seems like a postdated cheque in a non-existent bank, how to keep going? I come from a non-Buddhist background and ask myself why should one continue if the path itself is full of suffering?