Judges 20:22 And the people....encouraged themselves and again formed the battle line at the place where they had put themselves in array on the first day.
We all need encouragement and appreciate it so much when we receive it. It seems to strengthen us when we feel weary and tempted to waver in our resolve to do something. All it takes is a phone call, a kind word, an uplifting text, a card through the letter box so you can see it all day.
The wonderful thing about encouragement is that we can all do it. We don't have to be clever or especially gifted or have spent 10 hours in prayer beforehand!
But what do we do when we feel discouraged and no-one seems to notice or everyone else is feeling down as well? There is an answer in the above verse. We have to encourage ourselves. King David had to learn to do it and so do we.
1 Sam 30:6 And David was greatly distressed...But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.
God has told us over and over again in scripture 'don't be discouraged, don't allow it.'
One way I find that helps is to be grateful for what is going well, for the health I have got, for the food on the table because there is no rationing. We're not being bombed from the air, there are no enemy soldiers parading our streets. The restrictions we do have are minimal in the big picture.
Our God is still on the throne, He still loves us unconditionally, He is still protecting us, providing for us and affectionately caring for us. We're forgiven, and on our way to our mansion in heaven! Feel free to add to the list, I don't have enough space!
And last but not least
Psalm 27:13 I would have lost heart unless I believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Are you still in the land of the living today? Then be encouraged I believe we shall see the goodness of the Lord in each of our lives.
BE ENCOURAGED AND ENCOURAGE YOURSELF IN THE LORD TODAY.
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