1 Samuel 30:6
And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
One of the greatest assets of David’s character was his ability to encourage himself when things were down. When the people talked about killing him, he found a way to encourage himself without allowing the mentality of those he invested in to get him down. When David’s wives and family were taken captive, he encouraged himself instead of waiting for others to encourage him. Had David waited for others to encourage him, he would have lived the rest of his life in bitterness and despondency, his wives and family would have never been rescued, and it is likely he would not have taken the throne of Israel. The future of God’s Word being fulfilled depended on David encouraging himself because God’s Word would have been false had he not gone forward.
The ability to encourage oneself despite what you face may be the greatest feat that anyone can accomplish. There will be days when others around you discourage you, but you must find in yourself to encourage yourself. There will be days when the news you receive is disheartening, but you must find a way to encourage yourself. There will be days when the uncontrolled negative circumstances seem to roll in like a tidal wave, but the ability to encourage yourself is the only way to keep these circumstances from destroying you. So, how does one encourage themselves?
First, you must will yourself to encourage yourself. David chose to encourage himself; nobody encouraged him to encourage himself. You mustn’t wait for others to encourage you to encourage yourself, but you must realize you can will yourself to be encouraged. Paul said when in chains and facing a ruler that likely would leave him in bonds, I think myself happy. Paul was willing himself to be happy. You will never be in control of your disposition if you must wait for others to encourage you. Those who learn to encourage themselves are those who can lead others.
Second, you must realize the future of many depends on you encouraging yourself. David never knew the ramifications of encouraging himself, but it was prophesied that Christ would come through David’s lineage. David had to become king, but had he not encouraged himself and allowed the circumstances to keep him down, he likely would not have become king. You must realize that the eternity of hundreds, if not thousands, depends on you having the ability to will yourself to encourage yourself. Your ability to influence others for good will be highly limited if you must depend on others to encourage you. Many people are depending on you to get control of your spirit and encouraging yourself when times are tough, and that is why you must not depend on others to encourage you.
Third, when you learn to encourage yourself is when it doesn't matter what happens, you will always find a way to be an encouragement to others. My friend, when my encouragement depends on me and not on others is when I can be encouraged at any time despite what I face. You hold your encouragement in your own hands when you learn to encourage yourself. Don't let your spirit be held captive to depending on another encouraging you, but learn to encourage yourself, and you will always have the freedom to live on topside.
Comments