Encourage
Verb; to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence…
When I was in sixth grade, my
twin sister and I attended try-outs for cheerleading at our local middle
school. We went to every teaching time
offered by the high school girls, got our jumps and kicks down pat, and were
confident that we would make the squad.
Our parents encouraged us to do our best and watched hours of routines
as we perfected them for the big day. We
went to the try-outs and felt so confident about how well we had done that we
were completely shocked and discouraged when our names failed to appear on the
list of those who had made the cheerleading squad. I remember feeling like that was the biggest
disappointment I had ever faced.
Fast forward to high school…my
sister and I were blessed to audition to enroll in a performing arts high
school in Fort Lauderdale. I remember
feeling the threatening outcome of my cheerleading attempt looming over me as
if to say, “What makes you think this
is going to be any different than that?”
What I would realize many years later was that was Satan lying to me;
telling me that I wasn’t good enough, and worse yet, I never would be. Many people in our church prayed for us that
we would experience God’s favor and that His Will concerning this school would
be done. The auditions went very well,
and we were accepted into the program!
How many things might have been
different for me if I hadn’t let that first experience, and what I then labeled
a failure, consume me? I discovered that
when I listened to those who were building me up, encouraging my pursuits and
ambitions, and praying for me, I had successes.
But when I listened to those who would feed disbelief into my life,
shoot down my aspirations, and who essentially gave up on me, I met failure and
became depressed. What’s worse is that
at times, even family had fallen into the latter category. I had to choose who I was going to listen to,
and I still do in everything I think I want to do in my life.
Today, you have the same choice
to make. Are there things you want to do
as a career? In your life? For your family? I would encourage you to find out what the
Word says about your endeavors; surround yourself with Godly Christians who
will build you up in your faith and the Lord’s Will for your life; and take
time to pray and seek the Lord in that area, no matter what your age; whether
you are married or not; have children or not; or are in school or not.
If you haven’t yet accepted
Jesus as your Lord and Savior over your life, start right there. Ask Him into your heart to rule and reign
over you. Then tell someone about your
decision!
As C.S. Lewis said, “You are
never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream!”
Such a good example of encouragement--and such a good reminder. It is too easy to fall into dark doubt, question our "worthiness," and give up--and this often happens we are doing our best to answer God's call. No coincidence. That's why it's so very important to encourage each other, and to remember God's promise to give us hope and a future. He will never give up on us.
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