Encourage yourself even when it hurts

Mornings are getting harder to face. Your mind is flooded with the horrors of past due Bills broke down car, under paid or no job at all. All while enduring a COVID pandemic! You feel abandoned. Asking where is God? Prayers go unanswered. Your thoughts pull you into the abyss of depression. As hard as it may be, during these dark Moments, find the strength to encourage self. How do you encourage and jump-start self in times like these? When I find myself faced with despair Here are a few things I do for self motivation. 

Pray – ask God to pull you from this pit

Praise – find a song to sing unto his name

Gratitude – count blessings one by one

think of how God has covered you during these unprecedented times we are facing. Thank God for where He has brought you from.

With COVID, the mere fact you are not sick or was able to recover from the virus becomes a praise moment. 

Do something that make you happy; that brings you joy. Something that centers you. 

Read a book. Put a puzzle together. Call a friend or family member and lift them up. 

Finally, Take on a spirit like David and celebrate. Dance like David Danced. Find ways to encourage and recapture the joy in your life! Especially during this pandemic! 

 

Listening to foolish advice is like the blind leading the blind

When people become fearful they don’t think sensibly. They seek foolish counsel, act from emotions all while disregarding sound advice and wisdom. We are witnessing governors and citizens in many states acting irrational by not heeding the warnings of doctors, despite the fact COVID19 cases are rising again. They want to open the Economy. As dismal as the picture appears, continue to pray, use sound advice and proceed with caution. We all are praying for speedy recoveries of people and economy. In the mean time, it’s better to follow wisdom than an old but foolish leader who no longer knows how to heed a warning. Guard your thoughts. Pray. Seek God and be at peace. 

Money and status is worthless, COVID-19 has made us equal

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic life for many was a race to accumulate more money, status, and earthly possessions. Very little effort in a God-directed and God-empowered life. No matter your status, today we are all equal. 

Your money, status, or ethnicity is worthless. COVID-19 has made us all as one. Silver and gold is worthless but you possess the Holy Spirit and the power of prayer. Just as Peter spoke to the lame man (Acts 3:1-9) speak over COVID-19 and any thing that is crippling you. There is power in your tongue! Continue to seek God. Pray for others and the healing of this land. Remember, God is still present even in the chaos. 

Current life disruptions distracts you from God

It’s easy to operate in the flesh and not the spirit. All it takes is some abnormal situation to disrupt our ‘normal’ way of living. When operating in the flesh you don’t maintain a clear mindset. Brothers and sisters, now more than ever lean more on God’s word. God is always present even when he appears far away. Don’t let this current disruption distract you. Trust more in God and express it through prayer and praise. Lift your eyes unto the hills from whence cometh your help Psalms 121.

Trust God in all things

Nowhere in the Bible does it indicate that if you are a child of God, Christian, or believer of the word you are exempt from suffering. Those who trust God will still suffer. God never promised a life free from some pain but he did promise never to leave nor to forsake us. 

Don’t lose faith or hope. For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

Facing trying times don’t panic

When facing trying times such as these, we lose it. We hear of mandatory quarantines and see empty grocery shelves we panic. We forget the basic principles of faith; not to walk by sight. The widow at Zarapeth was at what appeared to be her demise during a 3.5 year drought. With only enough flour and oil for one meal she was ready to give up (1 Kings 17:7-24). The Bible gives us plenty examples of how God provides and can use anything or anyone to fulfill his promises. Elijah was sent by God to help the widow. Because of her obedience to God’s word, her supply never ran empty! Yes, our future is uncertain. However, Believers of GOD Fear not, for GOD is with you; be not dismayed. GOD will strengthen you, GOD will provide your needs. Trust his word. stay prayerful. Don’t lose faith. Be encouraged AND encourage others!