With so much going on right now in this nation and this world, it hard to find encouragement and remain encouraged in the midst of it all. There are so many things are beyond our control, uncertainty looms. I encourage you to enjoy today, embrace today, for tomorrow has enough worries of its own. (Matthew 6:34)
I want to share some tips that has helped me find a new outlook and fulfillment on life. Circumstances, trials and tribulations will come, but in the midst, I choose joy. For the joy that I have the world did not give it, nor can they take it away.
PRAYER CHANGES THINGS!!! It is an open line of communication with God. Prayer won’t necessarily take everything away, but it encourages you that God has you and is keeping you through the midst of it all. Prayers also reveals what God may using to work out for your good. Be specific in your prayers. Yes, I wanted God to take it all away, but He has also told me during prayer that he will put no more on me than I am able to bear. I designate prayer time is every morning at 0600 hrs. I know God is there and He waits for our communication time. Much prayer, much power. No prayer, no power.
1John 5: 14 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
Be Positive. Maintain a positive focus in life no matter what is going on around you. “Positive thinking” is what I like to call it, and that is having an optimistic attitude, or practice emphasizing on seeing the good in situations. Remember whatever you give your attention to, it will grow. Maintaining your level of positivity also includes the people you are around. Surrounding yourself with positive and like-minded people can decrease the negativity and distractions which curtail you from being positive. Think positive and I sure you will find encouragement in the midst of it all. Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Avoid Negativity. Negative people and negative environments are toxic. Being around negative influences for too long can influence your outlook on situations and life. Toxic people deplete you and starve you from any form of encouragement. Negativity can take a toll on you. It can cause feelings of depression and worthlessness. Negativity can also be contagious, if not careful, you will avoid to ever see the good in anyone or anything. With negativity don’t give it the energy, don’t give it the entertainment. Starve it until it dies. You think negativity, you breed negativity, then negativity is going to be the product of what you produce. To remain encouraged, reduce the amount of negativity around you. Proverbs 23:7 As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he”.
Stop Focusing on What You Have No Control Over. Many people worry about things they cannot control whether it be people or circumstances. Focus on what you can control. You can control your attitude and you can control how you react. I know it is hard a pill to swallow, but sometimes you must accept what is and leave the rest for God to handle. In other words, put it in God’s hands. Doing this will increase the level of you being encouraged. We can’t control tomorrow, but we can enjoy and make the most out of today. Tomorrow has enough worries of its own. Doing this puts the situation back in the Lords hands and let Him be charge with what I can’t control. Take control of your attitude, control how you react and watch the encouragement meter begin to rise.
Give the Gift of Encouragement. The best thing you can when you are feeling discouraged is give the gift of encouragement. During times of discouragement, you mind can quickly be flooded with thoughts and emotions that can bring out the worst. Be intentional when it comes to encouraging someone else. This will take the focus off your current situation and will make you focus on someone else. You can do this with a simple text message, email or phone call. You can find encouragement in the midst because you never know what person is going thru. Often you find you don’t have it as bad as the you think. You then become grateful which leads me to my next point…
Be Grateful. Another way to remain encouraged during these difficult times is by being grateful and having a spirit of gratitude. Gratitude is the quality of being thankful, readiness and showing appreciation for and return to kindness. Having gratitude overall makes us happier and remain encouraged. To help me to remain grateful even in difficult times, I always think it could have been worse and accept what the Lord allows. You can also make a list of things you are grateful for. Be grateful for the people in your corner. This can be done with a simple call, text or email. Grateful people have a different outlook on life in general. The don’t give attention to the potholes that may come, they fix them accordingly or find alternate routes to remain on the path of gratitude. Have an attitude of gratitude and watch encouragement follow.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Learn to be real. The quickest way to deplete the encouragement meter in your life, is to not be realist. Be real or keep it one hundred, this reduces the clouding of your thinking and being blindsided only to be let down. Being realistic allows for you to also see things for what they are and deal with them accordingly. Set goals that are realistic, concrete and attainable. It is better to take small baby steps. Small baby steps become huge steps and that makes room for huge reality. In doing this, you are inspired and encouraged along the way. Being realistic also lower stress, uplifts your mood, and make rooms for impossible. Job 8:7 Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.
Avoid Stress. Stress is the state of mental or emotional strain cause by adverse circumstances. Let’s face it, these are some stressful times. However, keeping stresses levels at bay is key in remaining encouraged in difficult time. Some ways to avoid stress include remaining positive, listen to relaxing music, and accepting what you can’t control. Managing stress is essential not only to you, but to your overall health. Unmanages stress can lead to health issues such as heart disease. Studies have shown that “stressed out” people have a higher risk of high blood pressure and heart problems. When stress arises, I challenge you to speak over yourself and your situations.
Psalms 55:22 Cast your burdens on the Lord and He will sustain you.
Speak Positive Affirmations Over Yourself and Circumstances. Another way to remain encouraged through difficult times is by speaking positive affirmations. Words are powerful. The right words can creative a positive or negative force. Regardless of what you are seeing or feeling, speaking the right word can determined the outlook and even the outcome So many scriptures come to mind on speaking positive affirmations but listed below are starting place on speaking those positive affirmations…
Job 22:28 Decree a thing and it will be established.
Hebrews 11:1 Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.
Proverbs 18:21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Phillipians 4:13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength
Laugh a Little More. In times of discouragement, you must laugh a little more. Laughter is good for the soul. Laughter decreases stress hormones. There is old saying that “Laughter is good for the soul” Laughing can help you live longer, it boosts your immune system, reduces depression and relieve pain. Taking a trip down memory lane thru old photos can cause a smile and laughter. Laughter can bring the feeling of joy.
Proverbs 17:22 A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Wrap Up
We are living is some trying times. The times we are living in can cause damper on feeling encouraged. These tips are just a few to get one back into the realm of being encouraged.
