Let’s face it. We all need encouragement from others. However; know that GOD does encourage you as well. Finally, learn how to be an encouragement to yourself.
You know each and every person comes from a dysfunctional family. It does not matter what degree the dysfunction is. Some of us in our very home hear words of discouragement on the daily. That place of safety and refuge is often times the place where we experience our first hurts. The place where our greatest and loudest cheerleaders should be is often the place where we are jeered. We learn this and we take this out of the home and apply this dysfunction to others. It appears to be a never ending cycle.
Why are we so afraid to encourage our loved ones?
Why do we fear that if we speak highly of our loved ones, they will become pompous (big headed)?
Who said that we should not speak life into the lives of others?
I know a woman who is really nice and lovable yet it takes time to pull back all the layers to see that she really does not mean any harm in what she has to say. She has been trained to think in this manner that I’m going to share with you.
The woman is an educator and when it comes down to teaching and training from books she is great. She is a believer and reads her Bible each and every day. However, what I’ve come to understand that she is retaining so much scripture in her head and so very little in her heart.
I often hear her say “you’re ugly; you’re stupid; dummy” and so forth. I’ve often inquired; why do you keep saying those things about people? “Well the person is so good looking; I just don’t want their looks to go to their heads. It’s not that the person is really stupid it’s just that, stupid things are either done or said. I call a person dummy to keep from cussing.”
If you can figure the logic in any of those statements not only are you good but you suffer from the same problem.
When a person is not encouraged often there are some negative factors that come into play with a person’s life. Such as anger; depression; health problems and many other factors.
GOD requires that we speak life to each other and to ourselves. Death and Life are in the power of the tongue. Those who love it will eat the fruit of it. Proverbs 18:21
To me that is encouraging. When I speak life over myself and others; I’m a cheerleader for me and you. When I speak death over myself and others; I’m a jeerer. I love the taste of many types of natural fruits especially summer fruits and I eat my fill. Because they are sweet and tasty. There are some fruits that I like that I can no longer eat due to allergies or I just don’t like them. The one’s I don’t like I stay clear of because I don’t like its taste. It’s the same with words; be drawn to those words that are sweet and tasty without being phony. That’s another biblical problem. Stand clear of words that tear down.
However; when you become too hard on yourself or others are not giving you that extra boost. Turn to whom…GOD; that’s right HE will give you words of encouragement.
Let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Galatians 6:9
In HIS kindness GOD called you to share in HIS eternal glory by means of CHRIST JESUS. So after you have suffered a little while, HE will restore; support and strengthen you; and HE will place you on a firm foundation. 1 Peter 5:10
The joy of The LORD is my strength.
Nehemiah 8:10
As soon as I pray, YOU answer me; YOU encourage me by giving me strength.
Psalm 138:3
Scriptures gives us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for GOD’s promises to be fulfilled. Romans 15:4