Need some encouragement?

There are plenty of opportunities to be discouraged in this life. If your focus isn’t right and you are not actively dealing with the issues that can distract you and discourage you, then you will live in a place of constantly needing someone to lift you up, pat you on the back and encourage you. Don’t get me wrong; we certainly need to encourage each other, and God’s desire is that the church be a people of encouragement (Hebrews 3:13) but ultimately, we shouldn’t rely on people more than on the Lord.
 
“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)
 
The Bible says that all the people were grieved against David and considered stoning him. When David knew of this it greatly distressed him; that means that he was extremely discouraged. He had no one to tell him that everything would be ok, no one to give him a hug – all the people were grieved. Then the scripture says “but” David encouraged himself in the Lord. Just after this verse, David went on to obtain great victories. You cannot obtain any victory while being discouraged. Yes, your situation may be very discouraging, but I am sure that you don’t have everyone around you grieved against you and wanting to kill you. And if you do, then you can still overcome by encouraging yourself in the Lord. Turn your focus off the circumstances and the people and turn your focus onto Jesus.
 
Whether or not you are encouraged is up to you, not God. You are the custodian of your heart (Proverbs 4:23; Philippians 4:8), you get to choose what you focus on and what you focus on determines whether you are happy or sad, encouraged or discouraged. If you are Word-minded then you will not be able to stay discouraged for long. When you’re focusing in on who God is, how much He loves you and when you’re meditating on His promises, it will result in you experiencing life and peace (Romans 8:6). Your heart is your responsibility. The truth may be difficult to digest but Jesus said that it’s the Truth that makes you free (John 8:32). The truth is that you may have had many things and people come against you and as a result you are discouraged, but you choose to stay discouraged or get encouraged in the Lord. It’s up to you!
 
“Just consider and meditate on Him who endured from sinners such bitter hostility against Himself [consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Hebrews 12:3 Amplified Bible (AMP)
 
“So consider carefully how Jesus faced such intense opposition from sinners who opposed their own souls, so that you won’t become worn down and cave in under life’s pressures.”
Hebrews 12:3 The Passion Translation (TPT)
 
If you do not want to grow weary and lose heart, if you don’t want to become worn down (burn out) and cave under life’s pressures, then you need to have the right focus. Focus on Jesus and not on the negative circumstances or people in your life. Consider how Jesus overcame, for you.
 
“…For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world!”
John 16:33b The Passion Translation (TPT)

You can be encouraged by focusing in on Jesus’ victory and how you’re in Him, and therefore in His victory.  Jesus also said that He wouldn’t leave us comfortless but that He would send the Holy Spirit to comfort and help us (John 14:16-18). Change your focus – stop focusing on the discouraging things and people in your life, and focus on Jesus. And now, invite the Holy Spirit to minister to you and pray in the Spirit. You will find comfort, supernatural strength and you will be encouraged in the Lord.