All of us need encouragement. Have we ever experience situations that we are so discouraged with everything that is going on around us that we are ready to give up? It seems that nothing is working. I remember at the beginning of this summer that I had so many things that I need to do to prepare for the soccer ministry, Vacation Bible School (VBS) for the kids, and the youth retreat that I felt like I didn't have enough time to prepare for everything. My mind was racing, and my thoughts were spinning to figure out how to accomplish everything. Then I started praying and spending time with the Word of God. As I prayed, the Lord began to encourage me through His Word. He led me to Psalm 55:22 that says, "Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall." Then He started speaking into my heart to encourage me to slow down, take a deep breath, and do the task one step at a time. And He would take care of everything.
Sure enough, everything was taken care of. We just had our youth retreat last week, and it went very well. We are about to start the soccer camp and Vacation Bible School (VBS) next week, and everything is prepared and ready to go. God is taking care of everything, just as He encouraged me several weeks ago. There is one thing about God: He is active in our hearts and always a prayer away from us. The Word of God is a source of encouragement for us, and this is one of the reasons God provided us His Word. Maybe we are going through discouragement right now because of health, finances, work, family, or relationship issues. But God is always with us and ready to encourage us if we spend time with Him in prayer and His Word.
Let us lift up all our concerns to God and read His Word. Hebrews 4:12 says that the Word of God is alive and active. It recognizes the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. God knows when we are discouraged and ready to give up when the pressure around us is overwhelming. God is telling us to give Him all our burdens, and He will take care of us. God will accomplish what His Word says because He promised us that He would fulfill all His purposes and plan for us. Psalm 138:8 says, "The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands."
Ask yourself these questions: What should I do when I am discouraged and overwhelmed? Why is spending time with the Word of God is important for me?
Write down all the worries that you are facing today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in heaven, thank you for your encouragement. Thank you that you are always a prayer away, and your Word is always available for me to read. Please help me to spend time with you in prayer and your Word, especially when I am discouraged and overwhelmed. Please help me to trust in you completely. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.