By Pastor Naomi Mitchell
For Carter County Times
You may know this story about David from the Bible. 1 Samuel 30. He had been living with the Philistines because King Saul had continued to pursue and try to kill him. David was trusted by Achish, but not by the other Philistines. So, when they marched off to war, the Philistines said, “Get rid of David and his men. They can’t be trusted.”
David returned with his men to the Philistine city, Ziklag, where they had been living with their wives and children. To their horror, they found the city had been attacked, burned down, and their families kidnapped. Amid the story, these words (v. 6) are shared: “David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.” David encouraged himself in the Lord. After getting refreshed by God, David was able to ask Him for guidance, and then “get on with business” again.
When you are sick, or just home from the hospital, where do you start to feel better? You certainly don’t hop out of bed and start trying to do jumping jacks or run a marathon. You gently, bit by bit, do small things and then larger things to recover.
The same thing is true when you’re deeply discouraged and feeling a lack of hope. You need to start out with small steps. In the story above about David, the Bible says that first, “David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep.”
Remember God’s Faithfulness. Most people can look back over their life and see how the Lord has been faithful to them. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23. Take time to remember the Lord’s faithfulness to you.
Remember Past Victories. Moreover, David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” 1 Samuel 17:37. Remember that what He did once, He’ll do again. God always has victory for you!
Meditate on the Integrity of God’s Word. When you need encouragement, the best place to turn is to the Word of God. The Bible is full of promises, for every situation you could imagine. God’s Word is completely trustworthy. Meditate on the surety of God’s Word. It is unfailing.
Pray in Tongues. Speaking in tongues is an incredible gift that many people do not take advantage of. The Scripture says in 1 Corinthians 14:4, “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself.” To edify means to build up. When you pray in tongues, you build yourself up. You encourage yourself. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, Jude 20. As you speak/pray in tongues, it allows the Holy Spirit to pray for exactly what you need. The Holy Spirit will bring things Jesus has said back to your remembrance. John 14:26.
Worship. Worship is one of the best ways to change your perspective. Worship forces you to put your focus on God and what you are thankful for. Even a few moments of worship can make a dramatic difference. Scripture says that when we worship, it silences the enemy. Praise releases strength and silences the enemy! Another way that worship is encouraging is in the fact that God inhabits the praises of His people. God’s presence is always encouraging. But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Psalm 22:3. If you want to feel the security, joy, and peace that comes with being in the presence of the Lord, spend some time in worship. Even when you don’t feel like it, just begin to praise Him and your emotions will soon follow.
Listen to People of Faith. There are certain people who walk by faith more than others. When you get around these types of people or listen to them, it ignites the spirit of faith on the inside of you. These are people with victorious mindsets. Spend time listening to them and allow their champion attitude to rub off on you.
Speak Life to Yourself and Your Situation. In Psalm 103, David instructed his own soul to bless the Lord. Again, in Psalm 62, he commands his soul to rest in God. You can speak to your own soul. Your soul is your mind, will, and emotions. Speaking the Word of God over yourself is so valuable. The Word is alive (Hebrews 4:12). It has the power to change situations and move mountains. Life and death are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). Speak life over yourself!
Look to Jesus. It sounds simple, but keeping yourself focused on Jesus will encourage you. He is the very author of encouragement and faith. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, Hebrews 12:2. The Word of God tells us to keep our eyes on things above rather than things on the earth.
Amen! So be it!
JOYFUL House of Prayer, 2519 Quicksand Road, (P.O. Box 856), Jackson, Kentucky 41339. Send Comments/Prayer Requests: Pastornaomi4god@gmail.com. FB: JoyfulHoprayer. Services: 10am Sunday and Joyful Kids Class at 10:30am, 6:30pm Thursdays. Radio Broadcast: WJSN 97.3 FM & WEKG 81.0 AM Sundays 1-2pm.
