You know those days or seasons when it feels like nothing goes right? Nothing is easy or gets accomplished quite like you had intended. You feel like your worthless as a parent, as a spouse or in your job. You feel like a failure and can’t wait to just check out with a glass of wine in front of the TV or maybe just pass out in your bed.
But what if your husband, friend or co-worker walked in and said, “Wow! I saw how you handled XYZ. You really turned that situation around by the way you spoke with such patience, love and grace?”
Does that change the way you feel? Perhaps a little more energized to make it through the day? Maybe a little more confident or motivated to keep on keepin’ on? Amazing how a little encouragement goes a long way!
If this is true for us, why do fail to give it to others?
Hebrews 3:13 says:
“But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”
Hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. That is what happens when we are not encouraged! I’ve read this scripture before, but today I get it.
To be very honest we are in a season of needing encouragement. Without it, the deceitfulness of sin is exactly what happens as Satan takes the lies and spins them as truths in our head. Now there are conflicting voices speaking into our hearts and because we struggle and doubt and worry and fear and stop believing He is good and He is near and He is with us, we give ear to Satan. And the more we hear it, the harder it is to fight it with the truth of who Jesus is. There is no denying we are sinners whose hearts are easily hardened.
If this is true for me and this is written in the Word, I know I am not alone. We all need to be encouraged. We all need to know we are loved, we are worthy, we are impacting others, doing a good job, making a difference- and the list goes on.
So my encouragement while it is still today: look for ways to love those God has set in your path, whether a family member, friend or someone that just pops into your head, and encourage them with gospel truths.
You know what I discover in this?
I have to take my eyes off myself and my own needs in order to see someone else who needs encouragement – which is probably exactly the answer to why we don’t give it. We are often just so self-consumed that we don’t think about others.
So, Lord, with my eyes fixed on you help me to be mindful of those who need encouragement and to remember that even when I’m not encouraged – You still delight in me and never will You forsake me. And if that’s all I have to hang on to for now, Lord, help that be all I need!
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Love the post Kristen….just read it to my whole family as we are driving back from Kanakuk. We were JUST talking about that and how a little (encouragement)goes a long way. Cody needed it, Karsten needed it. It totally turns things around! They all thought your post was great! It even got a few “amen”s 🙂 so keep it up sister! You are making a difference! And btw, I meant to send you a note earlier on a few you posted I really liked lately. I even told Abby about one of them that really hit home. I felt like we were in the same boat!;) good to know your not alone. Well, love ya sunshine, have a blessed day! Hope your doing well without the kiddos & pray they are having a fun & growing in The Lord! Xo Jenn Sent from my iPhone
Thanks Jenn- sincerely appreciate your encouragement. While writing is a way to process my own thoughts it is still nice to know it just doesn’t go up in to thin air, but that people do read and relate! To know we are truly all in the same boat:) Can’t wait to hear about Sophia’s camp experience- hope it was wonderful! From the pics, mine seem to be great. Hope to get more face time with you soon!