Encouraging Yourself in the Lord: Overcoming Discouragement and Negative Thoughts
As the warm spring sun melts away the cold chill of winter, some people realize that nearly a quarter of the year has passed and perhaps the new year’s resolutions made just a few weeks ago, may not come to pass. If you find yourself discouraged and wondering if you will accomplish your goals, do not wait for anyone to come and encourage you. Encourage yourself and take control of your thought life. Consider King David…… “And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” (1 Samuel 30:6 (King James Version) (KJV)).
Remembering God’s Faithfulness and Promises
In the Scripture cited above, King David was experiencing heartache and distress. David recognized that although he was troubled, he had to recall the blessings of the Lord and how God was faithful and true and always came through when he needed him the most. Dear one, when you experience discouragement, roll back the memories and recall the faithfulness of God in your life. Remember that he promised to never leave you or forsake you, even if others leave your side. Even if you have not received an answer to requested prayer, begin to rejoice, and focus on the faithfulness of God. Doing this, invigorates the soul and elevates your spirit. Anyone of us at any given time can be discouraged. Nevertheless, the word of God is filled with many stories of people who experienced discouragement and overcame their struggles. In a certain sense, the written word of God serves as a book of testimonies, memorializing triumph over struggle, life over death, joy over sorrow and peace over confusion. By reminiscing and recalling past victories and success stories of how God carried you into victory, your faith will be strengthened and your heart no longer troubled.
Rejecting Negative Thoughts and Embracing God’s Truth
Remember, dear one, the enemy of our souls (the devil) wants us to feed on negative thoughts. Meditating on negative thoughts and past mistakes, leaves us vulnerable to the enemy to attack our mindset. We must take each thought we have and reject the ones that do not fit into the Word of God and that do not agree with what God says about us and our situation. Claim this scripture and walk in it…… “And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:8, KJV).
This month we’re talking about hope in light of discouragement, future plans, and the Gospel . Read our last blog!
