Laced With Grace – Christian Devotions

Encourage Yourself

By Bernadine September 28, 2015 Devotion
Have you ever had those days when you have to give yourself a motivational talk? Everything around you may look not so great but you tell yourself;

“It’s going to get better.”

“I can do this!”

“Today is going to be a great day!”

In other words, you had to be your own cheering squad of one and encourage yourself.
If you’ve done this before, congratulations you’re in good company.

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 (KJV)

In this particular chapter David and his men returned home to find that their homes had been raided and all their families taken captive. The part that got my attention was the fact that everyone went home to find the same situation yet some got bitter. David’s two wives were taken captive but the men didn’t think about that. They wanted to stone David as if he had caused the calamity.

I’m reminded that in life sometimes situations play out the same way it did in David’s day. We all suffer loss, we all experience hurt but in the midst of it all some people become bitter and ungrateful. However there are some who find strength in the Lord their God. They find comfort in him and hold on to his promises. Like David they encourage themselves in the Lord their God.

I love the way Donald Lawrence puts it in this song.

Sometimes you have to encourage yourself.
Sometimes you have to speak victory during the test.
And no matter how you feel,
speak the word and you will be healed;
speak over yourself,
encourage yourself in the Lord.

How do you encourage yourself? What’s your favorite “self talk” for the days you’re not quite the joyful Christian you’d like to be?

 

I shared this 5 years ago on my personal blog. I needed the reminder and thought I’d share it with you.

3 thoughts on “Encourage Yourself”

  2. Mary

    I’m so glad you shared it again, beautiful lady! You’re right; they all faced the same devastation and loss but David was different – so godly, encouraging himself like that in the Lord. A very good word for me today! Thanks.

    Hugs,
    Mary

  3. Iris

    Thank you for the reminder, Bernadine. Actually I turn to the Psalms when I get discouraged. Especially David’s Psalms encourage me to move forward and find joy in the Lord.