"And the people, that is, the men of Israel, encouraged themselves and again formed the battle line at the place where they had put themselves in array on the first day." Judges 20:22.
There are times when you will have only one encourager - YOU. Here the men of Israel had to encourage themselves after two disappointing battles. They had gone into battle with self-confidence and self-righteousness and suffered severe loss. They examined their approach, attitude towards God, and in humility they sought His favor. This time God responded: "Go, for tomorrow I will give them into your hands." Judges 20:28. They battled again and won. Without encouragement it's hard to continue in a fight after severe loss.
The bible contains many examples of people and nations that suffered severe loss and eventually recovered all. In some cases they gained more than they had before their crisis. They all had to fight a common enemy - discouragement. David after a severe loss (his family, resources, tents, workers, friend), was greatly distressed. He cried, prayed, and cried some more as the enemy of discouragement tried to swallow him in a pit of despair: "David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke 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." 1 Samuel 30:6.
There are times when you have no one but YOU to encourage YOU; times when the situations and events don't offer much encouragement. These are usually the time when you need encouragement and that's when you have to encourage yourself. You have the power to encourage yourself. You have the ability to think, say, and do for yourself what you need. God is only a prayer away and David proved that when God comes into your circumstances, He is usually enough. Change comes. You can be your encourager in your world. God's word to you: "For I am with you to rescue and save you," declares the LORD." Jeremiah 15:20.
Kingdom Declaration: The Lord is with me forever. I am safe and secure.
@Dr Pat Francis
+Chayil Women International
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