Encourage Yourself
“If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.” —Fred DeVito
Welcome and thank you for taking the time to read this post.
I love reading the Word. I love it when a passage resonates so deeply with my life that it feels like God is speaking directly to me. In those moments, I don’t feel alone. I feel empowered—reminded that if God did it for someone back then, He’ll do it for me too. But is it always like that? Do we, as men and women of God, always feel empowered? The answer is, absolutely not.
These are the truths I hold onto when times get hard.
First and foremost, I remind myself that I am human. This isn’t an excuse for my shortcomings or a disclaimer for future mistakes. It’s a reminder that God understands this fact about me. He created us, and He knows our weaknesses. He knows that in our flesh, we’re frail and incapable of standing strong on our own. That’s why it’s so important to grasp the truth of His Word: when God says He won’t put more on us than we can bear, it’s not because we (in our flesh) can bear it on our own. It is not by our might or our power but by his spirit.
So when God says I won’t give you more than you can carry, I am allowed to let Him know when it’s starting to get a little heavy. I am allowed to express to my father, “Lord, I know You’ve given this to me because You know I can bear it, but I’m starting to feel the weight of this trail. It’s getting heavy, and I don’t want to crack under the pressure of this circumstance.” And here’s the beautiful thing about God: when we humble ourselves in this manner and cast our cares at His feet, He gives us joy. And because the joy of the Lord is our strength, our strength is renewed. That same problem that felt like it would break us suddenly becomes light as a feather.
Secondly, the Bible tells us that no weapon formed against us shall prosper. But we often overlook the fact that this means weapons will be formed. Life will present challenges, and the enemy will try to attack us. Things are going to happen. Being a Christian doesn't mean that we will be exempt from the trials of life. But when we’re rooted in God’s Word, we understand there is safety under His wings. We understand that God has already planned our escape from whatever form of trouble that comes our way. Someone can point a weapon at me, but that doesn’t mean it will succeed. The weapons may be formed, but they won’t prosper.
What the enemy meant for evil, God will use for good if we trust Him to be exactly who He says He is: a promise-keeper, a strong tower, our refuge, our Redeemer, our Deliverer. He’s the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. The author and finisher of our faith. If He knows my story and Is the one writing it, then I trust Him with my life, even when it doesn’t look good. Even when it doesn't feel good. I know that He who has begun a great work is faithful to perform it.
I am reminded that all things work together for the good of those who love God.
So yes, weapons may be formed, and every now and then my knees might buckle under the weight of life. But my God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all I could ever ask or imagine. I won’t be afraid, discouraged, or dismayed. I’ll stand. After I’ve done all I can, I’ll stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.
Be encouraged.