Encourage Yourself In The LordSample

You Have A Choice

Everyone needs encouragement in their lives. Encouragement infuses hope and strength when life gets tough. But, as you grow and mature in your walk with the Lord, you will realize that sometimes there is no one available to encourage you because everyone around you seems to be dealing with their own crisis. It looks like the world is so self-consumed that encouragement to others is scarce now. 

The pressures and busyness of life leave little room for anyone else, and, with a lack of encouragement people are becoming hopeless. They are turning to destructive behaviors, becoming addicts and even contemplating suicide. We are all in need of someone in our lives to lean on, to find comfort in, and to share our burdens. Unfortunately, someone may not always be there or even if they are around they are dealing with their problems to recognize you need help. 

I am sure Jesus faced times where he needed encouragement, and I am reminded of the night in the garden when he was arrested. Even though he was surrounded by his disciples for years, in his most desperate moments for support and encouragement, they all bailed on him. Just like Jesus, we face moments like these when the ones we are looking to for motivation are not available. Perhaps, it is not that they don’t want to be there, but as I mentioned before – they too are facing their trials and hardships. How did Jesus get through those moments of abandonment and isolation? I believe he encouraged himself because there were only two options:

1. Give up and lose the war over sin and death forever

2. Encourage himself and win the battle for all humanity

Jesus chose option two because his love for humanity was greater than himself. The writer of Hebrews tells us Jesus made it to the end despite all his hardships and encourages us to keep our eyes on him when faced with the same things.

Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we are in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God – Hebrews 12:2 (MSG).

Jesus kept his eyes on the prize, which was us (humanity) and encouraged himself to the end when no one was there to spur him on.  Today, we have the choice to either look at those who left us stranded or keep our eyes on Jesus and learn from him on how to encourage ourselves in the Lord. As we journey through this plan together, I pray that you would find strength in your difficult times to choose hope even if you feel like there is no one to encourage you. Jesus did it, and so can you!

“If you're struggling today, remember that life is worth living and believe that the best is yet to come. Remember that you are loved, you matter, and never forget that there is always hope.”  ― Germany Kent