Encourage Yourself

2020 has been a challenge for many of us.  Global pandemic, financial issues, relationship problems…the list goes on.  In the midst of all our trials, we have needed constant reminders to keep us encouraged.  We need strength to endure.  Where can we pull that strength from?  Sunday’s sermon gave me and boost and reminded me where my help comes from.

King David is the author of Psalms 27.  He spends the first half of the psalm encouraging others and then there is a shift.  He begins to speak about his personal experiences with the Lord.  He begins to remind himself of the goodness of the Lord.  He begins to encourage himself.

In verse 13, David acknowledges that fainting is a possibility.  We serve a God with all power.  We serve a God who put on human flesh to walk among us.  We know that He can do anything but fail.  And we also know that we are very much human.  Although the Holy Spirit dwells within us, quite often our flesh is weak.  While we can try to be super spiritual, we do get tired.  Fainting is a real possibility.  David reminds himself and us that while it is possible to faint and lose heart, we have to believe that God’s goodness will prevail.  And we do not have to wait until we go to glory to see it.  We can see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

David also reminds us that there is power in our faith.  Trials happen in everyone’s life.  We get bumps and bruises.  The best place to encourage ourselves and strengthen our faith is in the house of the Lord.  Well, some may argue that that advice is not helpful.  Many church buildings are shut down.  But a real tried and true saint realizes that our bodies are the house of the Lord.  The Holy Spirit lives within us.  We can praise God right where we are because He is present through it all.

One of the biggest ways to encourage ourselves is to think on our history with God.  When we remember how well He has taken care of us through the years, it gives us a boost.  I have to had to verbally say out loud that God has taken good care of me.  I have had to remind myself that all hope is not lost.  We just have to hold on until our change comes.  Newer saints may not have that history that draw on.  The only way to fix that is to begin to develop a relationship with God.  Trust that He will work things out.  Listen, I know it is not easy.  I speak from personal experience.  We might also have to look and see the ways that He has transformed the lives of others.  And believe that He will do the same for us.

David faced trials of many kinds, and yet he still had hope.  His hope was built on a firm foundation.  His hope was built from a sincere relationship with God.  When life got rough, as it often will, David reminded himself of where his hope came from.  David encouraged himself, and we would do well to do the same.  #wepreach

Think about these things:

• How do you handle constant disappointments?
• Do you have consistent devotional time?
  • If not, challenge yourself to begin with 5 minutes each day this week.
  • If you do, have you found it be helpful?
• Think of one occasion when God made a way for you. Celebrate His goodness.