Faithful Friday - "Encouragement"

I’m a little later today getting my Faithful Friday post on. But I didn’t forget! Faithful Fridays was started by my daughter, Joy, as a way to set aside one day a week to share something from our Christian Walk with the blogging world. Sharing should be done everyday, in the way we live, and the words we say and in our relationships, but we like to specifically set aside a day and this is that day. If you would like to participate, just grab the button, and leave Joy a comment here, letting her know you are participating, so we can visit your blog too.

I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone that wasn’t in need of encouragement at some point in their life. We all have low points or just a time in our life where we need a little push, or know that someone cares about what we’re going through. Sometimes that comes through family or friends, and that’s great. We should encourage one another. But family and friends, because we are all human, will fail us. Not intentionally, but because we are all imperfect. However, there is One that we can depend on no matter what. First you have to know Him. His name is Jesus. And his invitation to know Him is open to anyone.

“Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13 (NIV)

And that’s not by how good we are or things we do, it’s a gift from God to anyone who desires it:

“For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9


“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23


So you see, it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what you’ve come from, how bad you’ve been, how good you are, we all come to Christ the same way! And you don’t have to be in church to do this. You can do this anywhere; wherever you are. Jesus meets you right where you are.

After you know Him, then you have a special relationship with God and He is with you, everywhere you go and everything you do. He gives us encouragement through promises in His Word. And God’s Word can be trusted and depended on for all aspects of a Christian’s life:

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Honestly, I don’t know how folks get through this life without that assurance. I know that I can depend on God, no matter what. If everyone else fails me, or if everything falls apart, He cares. He won’t leave me or forsake me. That is the only true comfort that exists.

Here are few scriptures of promise from God’s Word that especially encourage and comfort me:

“Be strong and courageous. Do no fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6


And this one is one of my very favorite sources of encouragement and comfort:

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

And there are more:

“It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8


“Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22


“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29

God didn’t promise that we wouldn’t have problems, troubles, or tribulation. Because of the disobedience of Adam and Eve, sin entered this world, at which time entered pain, death, and suffering. But God did promise us that He would be with us, giving us peace and comfort. We must seek Him for this and trust Him. God is faithful, folks. It’s true!

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27


“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world”. John 16:33


“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7


And He promises to guide us and carry us through these times:

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” Psalm 32:8

And here's another of my very favorite ones for guidance because a lot of times I can’t understand why I’m going through a particular trial or why this is happening, but God tells me to not worry about understanding it but to lean on him and trust Him in all my ways and He will carry me through and guide me:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him; and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

And lest you think these words were meant for previous times and not for modern days, know that Jesus Christ never changes. What was real and true back then, is real and true for today.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8


I know how discouraging this world can be. Whether you’re going through something emotional, something financial, loss of a loved one, stress, depression, a tragedy, hurtful relationships, feeling of being alone, thoughts that you can’t escape, and more…….God cares! He yearns for you to seek Him, lean on Him, trust Him, and let Him carry you through.

I hope this encourages you as much as it does me. Remember first you have to know Him, and then boy when you do, just look what you have! You have something that has overcome this world! You have victory in any circumstance.

And can I add one more thing? If you’ve never seen the movie, Facing the Giants, watch it! I think God wants us to give Him praise through bad times as well as through the good times. Just continue to trust Him through it all. This movie is a good example of all of this. You will be encouraged watching it. One of my favorite quotes from it has to do with a point where fear and faith collides. When they do, will your faith win or your fear? Watch this movie! It is available on DVD.

Oh, and another thing..... When you get in your car or you’re at home where you can listen to the radio, find K-Love on your radio. It’s positive, encouraging, and uplifting music that continually feeds my soul. It’s available across the nation in most every city. You can actually listen at home on the link I provided above, and you can go here to find a radio station near you. Why not let these words flow into your ears and to your heart as you drive or are at home relaxing? I promise you that you will be blessed and encouraged!

I hope these words and God's Word encourages you as much as it does me. And from me to you, here’s a big hug to go with it too!

**EDITED** I just came from Joy's blog to preview her post (and she previews mine) and we both just discovered, without knowing what the other one was doing, that our posts coincide with each other. So please go over and read her post. She talks about how God can use your sufferings for Him and how some of these times when you need encouragement are actually a blessing. Read it here.

Be encouraged……and be blessed!
~ Tammy ~