Sometimes You Have to Encourage Yourself

There times in this life when we may face problems. Some may be big while others maybe small. I know that just like me some of you have faced trails and tribulations that have made you feel down and depressed. Usually the first thing we do when we face problems is call a friend or relative and seek assurance, encouragement and/or support. Sometimes, we will share our trails with multiple people seeking encouragement because of uncertainty. We may fall prey to depression which may lead us down the path of self destruction. I discovered during my St. Jude experience with my daughter Lauren that sometimes we have to learn to encourage ourselves and not seek it from others. When we arrived at St. Jude we had a diagnosis with an unfavorable prognosis. Our world was torn apart but we knew that we had to be strong for our little girls so that they would not panic and have fear in their hearts. Many times during the night I would find myself up talking to God and trying to encourage myself, trying to find a way to believe in the miracles and hope in a place where there was so much pain and fear. St. Jude is considered a place of hope and "Hope" is part of their slogan. But how do you get to the point of peace in hoping for the best when your outlook is not good. I found hope in my prayers and not long after arriving at St. Jude I began singing songs of encouragement to myself. A songwritter wrote the words, "Sometimes you have to encourage yourself, Sometimes you have to speak over yourself". When you find that you can't find the strenght to encourage yourself remember God can and He can and/or will provide other to help. Paul teaches us that God is in control of all circumstances and that praise is an important factor in achieving victory over discouragement and depression. 2 Corinthians 1:15 says "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassin and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." Encourage yourself through prayer and praise. Love, Benita