At the beginning of this year, I set a few personal goals for myself. I wrote them down, prayed over them, and stuck them right inside the cover of my "thank you" journal so that I would be reminded of these goals often. Unintentionally, three out of my four goals had a reoccurring theme: encourage. Specifically, my "encourage" goals consisted of:
1. Be more supportive and encouraging to my Hubby. 2. Be more intentional and encouraging to my children. 3. Be encouraging to other wives and moms. I wish I could say that I have reached each of these goals 100%. But sadly, I'm a work in progress and this is something I will forever be working on. Life is hard for everyone. Most of us take on way more than we should, some of us have been handed with unexpected trials, all of us have been hurt by others, and everyone of us have the every day "musts" that we have to contend with. Wouldn't a little bit of encouragement help ease our worries, stresses and anxieties? Like I said, I'm still working on this. I try to remind myself everyday to be more encouraging. I don't always succeed, but I am trying. God gives us many verses on encouragement. I wanted to share a few that really stood out to me. "So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing." ~ I Thessalonians 5:11 "Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too." ~ Philippians 2:3-4 "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." ~ Proverbs 27:17 "Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them." ~ Ephesians 4:29 "Share each other's burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ." ~Galatians 6:2 "Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near." ~ Hebrews 10: 24-25 "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." ~ Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 I'm going to stick with my goals. I'm going to try harder. I want to always remember, I know I will slip up, but my prayer is that God will help me to become an "Encourager". So here's my plan: *I want to build others up. *I want to put others first and think about their interests instead of my own. *I want to be a friend who supports, encourages and sharpens my friends. *I want my words to be good and helpful to all those who hear them. *In any way I can, I want to share other's burdens. I want to pray for them and help them in whatever need they may have. *I want to be a motivator. *I want to make time for others, starting with my husband and children and those God has placed in my life. *I want to help others stand firm, when they feel like their feet are being taken out from under them. This is my prayer. However, God wants to use me, I am His to use. Lord, help me to be encouraging to my Sweet Hubby, my Precious Children, and my family and friends who You have placed in my life. Let my words, my actions, my reactions and my attitude always reflect Your love to those who need a bit of encouragement. And when I fail, pick me up and give me the strength to try again. Make me an Encourager! In Jesus' name I pray, amen. Reach out and encourage your people, today! Joyfully His, Andrea
2 Comments
Anita
10/11/2017 02:55:08 pm
I came across your blog and wanted you to know what a blessing your words were. This is exactly what I needed. I have been struggling with an issue and The Lord used your words to show me I needed to be more of an encourager to other people. :)
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Andrea C
10/15/2017 09:24:11 am
Hi Anita!
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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. " AuthorHi! I'm Andrea, wife to my handsome hubby, homeschooling mama to my 7 amazing blessings, and daughter of the King of kings. I am so glad you have stopped by my little piece of the web. My prayer is that the Lord will use this blog to encourage you in your personal, daily walk with Christ. Archives
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