Do you ever get into a funk?
Life can feel downright discouraging.
Life can feel out of control.
The world is burning up here in the western USA
And life is tenuous at best
In places like Afghanistan and Haiti.
Smoke fills Madison Valley
Bless firefighters
through the smoke-filled, sad, gray sky
It cleared a little
My response is funky mood
Looking for more rain
The loss of life and freedom
Brutalization
To leave Kabul rapidly
Not a chance of that
It’s horrifying! to see
Worse yet to live it
In the midst of this
Devastation, what’s the word?
It’s ENCOURAGEMENT
How can that be true?
Where to find encouragement?
Get out of this funk!
In tragedy’s midst
Where can I find strength and hope?
Circumvent sadness?
How can anything
I do or say dent sorrow?
Search within myself?
I live in such peace
That I feel enormous guilt
For prosperity.
What strength is in me
To bring firefighters hope?
To save Haitian lives?
People who have lost
Their homes and their businesses
Still have lives to live.
Can they get through this
With their faith in God intact?
Where’s encouragement?
At Bible Study
We focused on Ephesians
6:10-20
The Whole Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”
Find hope biblically
Look for encouragement there
All is not hopeless
Don’t abandon faith.
Let it bolster your spirits
Encourage others
In our Bible Study, I was encouraged with this definition of joy:
“Joy is resistance to:
* hopelessness
* hatred
* divisiveness
* greed
* despair
* rigidity
* darkness
* complacency
* lies, and
* discouragement.”
I asked my Bible Study friends,
“In the midst of all this despair,
what can we really DO
to encourage others
and to avoid the pitfalls
of discouragement
and despair?”
They responded with these suggestions,
“Pray,
Write,
Block negativity
(especially on Social media),
Volunteer to help others,
and PLAY!”
To trade your funk for pleasure
Than to learn to play!
Take a look within –
How do you avoid despair?
Click below and share!
God loves you!
(And so do I!)
Comments on: "Embrace Encouragement" (11)
“Gratitude is the key component to joy.” When I begin to despair and I turn my concerns over to God in prayer I am immediately reminded that I am lucky and blessed! I am humbled by the reminders that God replaces my negativity with. There are so many people out there that need my prayers and God’s attention! As always, thank you for the excellent reminders.
Thank YOU for being such a sweet servant of God with such a big heart!! <3
Amen, Jan! That picture of you on the floor playing with your grandbaby….priceless!!! 💜 I love seeing the joy in my grands’ eyes when I get in the floor and play with them! It gives this Nonna joy, too! 🥰
Thank you, {{{Renee}} – that’s my great-grandson 3 years ago… Playing with him and his sister is a treat, indeed! <3
A brave post. Your Bible Study friends have some good suggestions
Yes, {{{Derrick}}} – they do! Now, if I can apply those ideas, perhaps I can get out of this funk! It’s hard, though. Last night we learned a wildfire burning in rugged terrain has prompted evacuation orders southeast of Placerville just 2 air miles from where our son and daughter-in-law live. The Caldor Fire was estimated at 6,500 acres on Tuesday morning — up from 2,261 on Monday evening … and it is zero contained!! Winds are feeding the flames ;o(
Not good all round for your country more than many
God’s encouragement nudges us to keep movin’ and doin’ as we work through the world around us. One of my morning devotions took me these same encouraging verses from Ephesians. When I am feeling in a funk, God quiets the negativity swirling around. His mercy and peace open up the positivity my day dearly needs. Thanks Jan!
I’m glad, {{{Richard}}}, that you also can find hope in scripture and in the faith that His mercy and peace are yours for the taking. Thank God for the ability to find positivity in a world so filled with negativity! Many thanks for your positive response! <3
When the whole world is burning down around you it is difficult to find encouragement! So sad to hear of your son in possible harms way with the CA fires.. Hope and pray things will change all over!
Dwight
Thank you, {{{Dwight}}} – Your prayers are appreciated. For now, Ty & Monika seem to be OK, but the fires are too close for MY comfort!! I am praying for them to get what we got today: RAIN!! <3