Encourage It Forward

Let’s face it, we all get discouraged. Sometimes it lasts a moment, and sometimes it lasts months or more. I recently have been shown that I became discouraged. So much so that my fire went dim. I so wanted it to be bright. I tried and tried, but I just wasn’t feeling it…it just wasn’t there. Or was it? It came to my attention in a couple of different ways: through the Word and through strangers. Someone asked me, ‘why haven’t you posted for almost a year?’. Honestly, my first thought was, “I didn’t think anyone actually read my posts.” There it is…self-pity and discouragement all wrapped up to keep me distanced from what I am meant to do. ENCOURAGE. How can you encourage others when you are completely discouraged? It just sounds so…sad. Over the last couple of years, I had gone through so many trying times. I have been put down and lied about continually. At first I would just brush it off, move on and know in Who my confidence and strength comes from. After so long it began to wear on me, emotionally, physically and spiritually. I began to slowly forget who I was, who I was made to be and who I am. I stopped telling myself the things that God says about me and started thinking what the world tends to think about me. I am not of this world. The world wants to drag me into it, the enemy wants me to forget who I am because I am a threat to his plan. I want to help lead people from him, not allow him to drag me down. So, how does the enemy operate? It’s actually quite obvious. He attacks you where you are gifted. Where God has anointed you. For me, I learned that my words encourage others, so if he discourages me and I become quiet, I can’t lift others up. God knows that we are continually fighting the enemy and most of the time we can’t physically see him because he will come in the form of thoughts, which we assume are our thoughts. (2 Corinthians 10:5- “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”) The enemy is crafty. He knows you and what your gifts are. He may be crafty but he is not above our God. We have Christ in us, and God resides in our hearts. Just imagine how powerful we can be! The flesh gets in the way and we get in our own way. So, although I went through a period of being discouraged, I realized that I had all the tools inside and around me. I just had to quiet the noise in my head and look around. God is everywhere. He is in all things, and He is good. He will talk to you through His Word, through strangers, even through a heart-shaped leaf you walk over in the road. No matter where you are at, God will meet you there. Friends, we all lose sight, we all get discouraged, and we all fall. He will be there to pick you up and comfort you. He will be there to encourage you and fill your heart. He will be there to spark your spirit when the fire gets dim. Hang on. Hang on to those around you and always remember that although you are going through a trial…you will come out of it stronger, wiser, and more confident. Be the light to those around you because sometimes they need your help to see in their darkest times. Always look for someone to encourage and lift up. You could change someone’s whole world just by holding the door open for them, or telling them that they look great today. No act of encouragement is too small. Go out of your comfort zone and be kind to others. Their world may be full of darkness and you transferring some of your light to them can cause a chain reaction. We all know the term “pay it forward” and it is amazing how it can go on and on. Let’s start ‘Encourage it forward”. Our words have power, and we can light the whole room with just a small amount of encouragement. Encouragement is love, and there is never too much of either one.

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

If your spirit has been sparked, go out and spark someone else. Let’s light up the world together.

Inspire/Encourage/Motive

“Have I not commanded you? 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

“Do not put out the Spirit’s fire” 1 Thessalonians 5:19

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25