ENCOURAGEMENT

Time sure does fly! I can't believe it's the middle of August. Because of family vacations and work committments, I have not had much time to blog this summer.

But I sure have had time to encourage. The more I interact with people the more I realize everyone needs encouragement. Everywhere I go I find someone who needs to hear encouraging words. People are hurting. Life is tough. Fear is rampant.

What is encouragement? Webster defines it as ”to inspire with courage, spirit or hope; to spur on, stimulate; to give help or patronage to, the act of encouraging, giving hope or promise”. To encourage, whether others or ourselves, is to make courageous, not in a passive way, but as an action verb. Encouragement is touching people right where they are, inspiring them to hang in there and persevere in the midst of problems.

Look around. Really listen to your friend or child. You can encourage someone today. Because you never know when a moment and a few encouraging words can change a life forever.

ENCOURAGEMENT

"You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right." Rosa Parks

"To be courageous requires no exceptional qualifications, no magic formula. It's an opportunity that sooner or later is presented to us all and each person must look for that courage in his own soul." JFK

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

ENCOURAGING WORDS AGAINST FEAR

Have you ever been afraid? Afraid of the unknown because you have a feeling something bad might happen to you or someone you love? Because you might not be able to handle whatever it is?

I have been dealing with that nameless dread lately. It’s a New Year; I should be optimistic and looking forward. But I’m not. I’m struggling with some circumstances that could be huge in the lives of my loved ones.

I read something from my favorite new little book, RED SEA RULES by RJ Morgan, today that is fabulous. It hit me right between the eyes. Could it be the answer I have been looking for?

“At the Red Sea, God put His people in a position where His presence had never been so real to them. Using difficulty, He cultivated within them a greater appreciation for Himself. ‘God’s presence in the trial is much better than exemption from the trial,’ wrote one commentator. ‘The Lord’s presence is never so sweet as in moments of appalling difficulty.’

Wow! God’s presence is better than not having the trial. That makes me stop and think. I really do not want any problems as I have been afraid, by myself, I could not handle whatever difficulty might arise. And you know I am right about that. I can't. Fear causes dread and discouragement. But I failed to include God’s presence in the equation of my life.

And that makes all the difference. Maybe the future looks brighter after all.

“When you find yourself between sword and sea, remember that difficult times can sensitize us to God’s nearness. He’s never so close as when we’re shipwrecked on omnipotence and driven to despair into His chambers where we find Him a ‘very present help in trouble.’ (Ps. 46:1)”