Being one that has the Spiritual Gift of Encouragement, I sometimes find it difficult to encourage myself, when times are tough.  I have no problem sharing the Word with others and doing my best to lift them up, and pray for them and with them, but when it comes to praying to God for myself, I sometimes feel that I am being selfish; putting my needs above others.

Last month, I injured my knee to the degree that after a week of trying to push the pain aside, and continued to walk on it or maybe I should say limp along; I finally conceded to getting it checked out.  I have always been the one that takes care of everything, not the one needing taken care of.  But through rest and many prayerful moments, talking to God, I have come to realize that we are not meant to handle anything on our own. Anything.

I have found that when I go through struggles in life, some of my own choosing and some that Jesus lets me go through, because then it reminds me that I must totally surrender my life and everything in my life, to Him.  And going through the daily struggles of life, we face in the flesh-in the world-with His guiding, we can than comfort others because we can share our testimony with another person.

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.-Matthew 11:28 (New International Version)

God reminds us through His word, that we are to come to him. He is our resting place. He is our refuge in times of trouble and he is also a loving Father, that wants nothing more for His children to come to Him, regardless of why. Many people, and I have been just as guilty, seem to run to God when life isn’t going the way we think it should, but he also wants to share in our joys as well.

Whereas, the devil wants to take our joy, our hopes, and dreams and toss us back and forth like the waves on the high seas.  Satan knows what doubts we have, and if we let those doubts become thoughts and we linger on them, it is then, that he tells us lies, lies we usually believe and fail to see what is going on, until it seems like there is no way but failure. Don’t fall for it.

In 1 Peter 5:8 this is a reminder, from the Lord:

⁸ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Trust in the Lord, rely on Him.  Cast all your cares on Him. All of them. Letting go and letting God do your work and fight your battles will really improve your life. I know because I let Him fight mine. It took me a long time to learn that simple fact. And, yes, there are times I need a gentle nudge and reminder.  But God gives me grace. And His grace is enough.

May you be blessed,

Carlene