Learn How To Encourage Yourself
A middle school guidance counselor organized a fashion show for the students and faculty of her school. Students as well as faculty and staff took turns on the “runway” of the stage, to the delight of a cheering audience. The organizer of the fashion show also participated as she was an elegant lady who loves fashion. The program was beautiful.
After the program one of the teachers went into the guidance counselor’s office to thank her for putting together such a wonderful program, but the guidance counselor was in tears. “What’s the matter?” the teacher asked. “Nobody complemented me on my outfit!”, was the reply. A well-planned, beautifully orchestrated program was followed by sadness, because the organizer didn’t feel encouraged by others.
There are many times when people will not provide you the encouragement you are looking or hoping for. Therefore, you must learn how to encourage yourself. Encouragement is a healthy motivator, and everybody needs some encouragement in this life. However, it important for you to practice encouraging yourself. Don’t leave this important piece of motivation and inspiration up to others. Do it yourself.
Much is said in the Good Book about encouragement. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11). You are to encourage others and expect others to encourage you. But life happens and things don’t always work out like they should; and people don’t always do what they should. So, encourage yourself.
Encouragement builds confidence and strengthens your will to keep on keeping on. There are times, though, when it is difficult to encourage yourself. Here is the medicine for those moments:
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8).
One of the easiest and most successful ways of encouraging yourself is to find at least one thing that is going well, or that you’re doing well, and celebrate that thing. Is anything working for you? Are you succeeding in any endeavor? Can you find a bright spot in a dark situation? Is there anything that is positive, lovely, admirable, or praiseworthy? If the answer is “yes”, then encourage yourself with that reality. If you can’t find one thing that’s right, then work on it!
Encouragement makes it easier to get through difficult times and remain focused and faithful to the positive things in life. Acts 4 talks about a man named Barnabas (son of encouragement). Who is your “Barnabas”? Who are the people providing you encouragement and support? Proverbs 16:24 says, “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Pleasant words from others are encouraging. When you don’t get them, speak
pleasant words over your circumstance, and encourage yourself.
Wisdom for Your Week
When you encourage yourself, you minimize the impact of discouragement in your life.
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