Be Encouraged

Be Encouraged is one of my favorite phrases.  It is a phrase I often say to others and to myself.  I have been told for years that I am an “encourager” – so I guess it would be natural that “Be Encouraged” is a phase I would use.

This past week I have instructed myself to “Be Encouraged” several times and this morning I started thinking about what it means and why it is so profound.

As is my habit I went to the dictionary.  Merriam-Webster defines encourage(d) as being hopeful, cheered, heartened, motivated, stirred up, fired up, emboldened, invigorated, vitalized, uplifted, inspired.

So I am saying to myself and others to:

• Be hopeful
• Be cheered
• Be motivated
• Be stirred up
• Be fired up
• Be emboldened
• Be Encouraged

Generally the words “be encouraged” are offered when someone is going through a challenge, is having difficulty – having a life struggle.   These are certainly the times in which I am seeking to be encouraged.  So why during these difficult times would we feel we can be encouraged?

• Be Hopeful
  • But I will  hope   continually, and will yet praise thee more and more. Psalms 71:14 (KJV)
• Be Cheered
  • These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation:  but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.  John 16:33 (KJV)
• Be Stirred Up/Fired Up
  • Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by putting on of my hands. II Timothy 1:6 (KJV)
• Be Emboldened
  • So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.  Hebrews 13:6 (KJV)
• Be Encouraged
  • And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people were grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord of his God.

Without a doubt we know that life presents Christians with challenges and that there are times when it appears there are more challenges than we thought possible, and it is in those times, especially, that Christians must remember to Be Encouraged!

Glory To God For All That He Has Done!

Blessings – Janice

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