Encourage Yourself in the Lord
Do you know how valuable you are in the eyes of God? Anytime we lose sight of our value, we tend to start turning to other people for approval and validation—a parent, boss, or loved one. While we all need encouragement and should receive it from the people around us, we can't let that be our sole source of validation. We have to know that because God validates us, we can validate ourselves. We can't live our lives waiting for the people around us to applaud us; sometimes we have to applaud ourselves. During those times when life seems to be dragging you down, instead of looking to others to encourage you, make the decision to encourage and believe in yourself.
I was at the gym one day on the treadmill speaking with a woman who had just been diagnosed with cancer. She had asked me to pray for her and I said, "Yes, I will pray for you, but I have to tell you something first." I looked her straight in the eyes, and said, "You know, you ought to be so proud of yourself. Look at you! You got up today and came to the gym. You could have pulled the covers over your head and stayed in bed, but you didn't. Instead, you are facing this with great hope and faith. I admire you and you should applaud yourself."
When this woman was reminded of her strength and tenacity, her whole face lit up, she had a great big smile and held her shoulders back. She recognized the importance of affirming herself and giving herself the proper credit.
If we are going to live in victory, our main encouragement has to come from the inside stemming from the affirmation God has given us. Don't be afraid to applaud yourself today. You may be going through some difficult situations, but you have strength to make it through. Encourage yourself, applaud yourself and learn to tap into the abundant strength within you.
…David encouraged himself in the LORD his God (I Samuel 30:6, NKJ).
I was at the gym one day on the treadmill speaking with a woman who had just been diagnosed with cancer. She had asked me to pray for her and I said, "Yes, I will pray for you, but I have to tell you something first." I looked her straight in the eyes, and said, "You know, you ought to be so proud of yourself. Look at you! You got up today and came to the gym. You could have pulled the covers over your head and stayed in bed, but you didn't. Instead, you are facing this with great hope and faith. I admire you and you should applaud yourself."
When this woman was reminded of her strength and tenacity, her whole face lit up, she had a great big smile and held her shoulders back. She recognized the importance of affirming herself and giving herself the proper credit.
If we are going to live in victory, our main encouragement has to come from the inside stemming from the affirmation God has given us. Don't be afraid to applaud yourself today. You may be going through some difficult situations, but you have strength to make it through. Encourage yourself, applaud yourself and learn to tap into the abundant strength within you.
…David encouraged himself in the LORD his God (I Samuel 30:6, NKJ).