Encourage each other

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness (Hebrews 3:13).

Are you finding it hard to be encouraged?

Sometimes we get so discouraged with the events happening around us that we sink into a state of despair. Rather than being thankful and appreciative for the kind words of a friend we are resentful that our life isn’t what we think we deserve and their words of encouragement seem to exacerbate our situation and drive us deeper into despair. We become afraid. Satan encourages us to believe his lies and perpetuates our fear…God doesn’t care about us or He would remove the terrible things happening to us and our loved ones.

The Holy Spirit comes to us through God’s Word which is sometimes spoken to us by our true friends. God’s Word tells us in Joshua 1:9, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” We are reminded how God has been with us in the past and we become encouraged by the gift of friendship, just as Titus was encouraged in 2 Corinthians 7:13 “because His spirit has been refreshed by all of you.”

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing

(1 Thessalonians 5:11).

In the societies of Lutheran Women’s Missionary League-Canada we encourage each other through prayer, fellowship and God’s word which enables us to reach out and encourage others through our giving and service to all God’s children, believers and non-believers.

How you encourage God’s children? Consider sharing your story. Send it to vpmemberdevelopment@lutheranwomen.ca and it will be shared via this blog in a future posting.

Penny – BC