Encourage Yourself
Sometimes you have to speak the Word over yourself. The Pressure is all around, but GOD (say but God) is present Help! The enemy created walls but remember giants they do fall. Speak over yourself. Encourage yourself in the Lord!
~ Dr. Wanda Hudson
Good morning and Happy New Year!!!
Today I want to talk about how you can remain encouraged! There is so much going on today and things happen so fast that often time you don’t have time to talk to the pastor, get on the church’s prayer hotline, connect with each other on Teams, or even ask for prayer on social media (you’ve seen it on social media…I need prayers don’t ask what for just pray). Often times you don’t even have time to call mamma or big momma so what do you do?
I want to share with you five things that I believe will keep you encouraged and help you navigate through the darkness of this world at the exact moment that you need it!
There is a song by Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers that I’m going to read the lyrics to you (nope not singing this time) while you go get a pen and a piece of paper to write down the scriptures that I will share (there are many). The chorus goes:
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!
Sometimes you have to speak the Word over yourself. The Pressure is all around, but GOD (say but God) is present Help! The enemy created walls but remember giants they do fall. Speak over yourself. Encourage yourself in the Lord!
After the main chorus the lead singer says,
Sometimes you have to look in the mirror and tell yourself I can make it!
You gotta remember that life and death resides in the power of your own tongue
Even if nobody tells you can run on you tell yourself!
I’m more than a conquerer! Greater is He who is in Me!
I believe everything the Lord said about Me!
And it goes on, and even though I have spoken most of it I still I encourage you to listen to the entire song in your personal time.
So, as I stated I want to share with you five ways that I believe you can encourage yourself even in the most trying of times:
First we need to be able to Believe what God has said about us!
He said, “I created you in my own image” (Genesis 1:27)
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
(1st Peter 2:9)
You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10, NLT).
God says I am a new person in Jesus Christ. “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. (Luke 12:7)
So, it does not matter what people are saying to you or about you. It’s actually not even important. All that matters is what God says about you and what you are coming into agreement with. As long as you are only in agreement with what God says about you that’s all that is necessary for you to Become the You He Intended U2B.
Second: You can also encourage yourself by knowing that no matter what happens you are loved:
You know Valentine’s day just passed and everyone was buying gifts; cards, flowers, stuffed animals, rings, the bigger the better trying to express their love. And there is nothing wrong with that. But what happened if you didn’t get anything, or no one said happy Valentines, or I love you? Does that mean you aren’t loved? Yes it does, if you are only concerned with human love!
But God’s love is better!
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
“God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8, NLT)
See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children (1st John 3:1)
But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:4-5)
We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19)
God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. (1st John 4:9-10)
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! (1st Corinthians 13:7-8)
Third: You can encourage yourself by knowing that you are prosperous and that just doesn’t include money. It means there is nothing missing and nothing broken in your life:
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. (Matthew 6:33-34)
I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)
And in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority. (Colossians 2:10)
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. (Romans 8:37)
Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God. (2 Corinthians 3:5)
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8)
I have everything I need for a godly life – His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. (2 Peter 1:3)
But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. (Isaiah 53:5)
Fourth: Encourage yourself by knowing that you can have peace in the time of trouble:
In John 16:33 Jesus said, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you. (Isaiah 26:3)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. (1st Corinthians 14:33)
In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8)
Don’t be afraid for you are deeply loved by God. Be at peace; take heart and be strong. (Daniel 10:19)
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)
“Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” 2nd Corinthians 3:11
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” (2nd Thessalonians 3:16)
Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil; joy fills hearts that are planing peace! (Proverbs 12:20)
My Pastor always says, if it costs you your peace it is too expensive.
And finally, Number Five, you can encourage yourself by knowing that God only wants the best for you; and He will never leave you:
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. " (Deuteronomy 31:6)
God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished. (1 Chronicles 28:20)
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1st Corinthians 10:13)
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. (Titus 2:11-12)
You cannot be snatched away from Christ ~ I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. (John 10:28)
For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. (Isaiah 41:13)
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
And the last one:
Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)
Yes I read a lot of scripture today because I want you to know that these five things are not something that I made up, I only categorized them so that you know what the Word says.
I want you to remain encouraged because better days are coming!
In closing just remember:
As we continually love on and minister to others, we do not have to wait for someone to love on and minister to us. God already does that in His Word! Encourage yourself with His Word!
Father God thank you for allowing me to share your word. I hope it brings peace and encouragement to someone today. We say All Is Well! In Jesus’ name.
Amen!