Encourage Yourself in the Lord

When we're discouraged, the world tells us to:

1. Eat, drink, and be merry.
But Paul says this is the motto for people who have no hope or purpose in life (1 Corinthians 15:32).

2. Blame your problems on others.
But Joseph proves that God can use any mistreatment for good if we refuse to play the victim (Genesis 50:20).

3. Live for yourself.
But Jesus says that people who do this are the true losers (Matthew 16:25).

So how do we encourage ourselves in the Lord?

We remember that everyone has problems. We’re foolish to think we’ll be exempt. But we know we are never alone in our trials, and the final victory will be ours. 

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Jesus, John 16:33 

I’m currently dealing with some big sorrows, and I’m determined to encourage myself in the Lord. One thing I’m doing is memorizing God's promise in Hebrews 13:5 in the Amplified Version. Would you like to join me?

“I WILL NEVER [under any circumstances] DESERT YOU [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], NOR WILL I FORSAKE or LET YOU DOWN or RELAX MY HOLD ON YOU [assuredly not]!”

And please check out the Bible Love Notes collection with more than forty 1-minute devotions that address encouragement: To Encourage the Discouraged. Why not pin or bookmark that collection and read one whenever you are feeling discouraged?

Bible Love Notes