Friday, January 28, 2022

"Encourage Everyday"

"And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God." 1 Samuel 30:6

There are times when the enemy tries to hit us with discouragement. Things didn't go the way we planned. Doors shut that seemed to be opening. Our faith is being sorely tried. Situations are becoming overwhelming. The light of day is giving way to darkness. Confusion seems to cloud your thinking. You wonder if things are just meant to be this way... forever. Hopelessness and despair seem to be your new traveling companions. These times come to all of us but what should we do when they come? Do we give in to them? Do we give up and agree with them? No, we don't. We fight the good fight of faith.

How do we do that? We do it by encouraging ourselves in the Lord. And that is done by getting into His presence through prayer and praise, by renewing our mind with God's word, by meditating on His faithfulness and by remembering His promises. When we do this, there is no room left for discouragement. It has to leave. You can't have faith and fear at the same time. You can't have despair and hope at the same time. Discouragement and encouragement can't stay in the same place.

When we talk about encouraging ourselves in the Lord, it is something that we do during the times I have talked about above, but we also do it when things are well. Encouraging ourselves in the Lord is something we should "clothe" ourselves with everyday. When we encourage ourselves in the Lord, what we are doing is simply rehearsing the Lord's goodness. We are stirring it up in our remembrance. And that is something we should do daily.

Have a great day. Encourage yourself in the Lord, everyday.

For further reading:
Psalm 143:5; 119:52; 42:5,6,11; 43:5
Jonah 2:7
Philippians 4:8
1 Timothy 6:12

No comments: