But God has a purpose and God has a plan, so You just stand. Sang about it Donnie! 7 Ways to Encourage Yourself in the Lord

7 Ways to Encourage Yourself in the Lord

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Don’t mind me, I’m just over here in the trial of my life and having church in my kitchen. And don’t be all self-righteous and act like you don’t know what I’m talking about.

But God has a purpose and God has a plan, so You just stand. Sang about it Donnie! 7 Ways to Encourage Yourself in the Lord

When I’m down, I just put on some gospel music and have me a good prayer meeting. Or even when I’m happy, and a song comes to my heart, I can just feel it in my bones. Speak life over yourself, encourage yourself in the Lord!

I know how it is. I’ll join in with you! I know what it’s like to be down. I know what it’s like to feel discouraged. This mama knows your pain, I know your heart. I have been there too.

But God has a purpose and God has a plan, so You just stand. Sang about it, Donnie!

Sometimes it’s hard to know how to encourage yourself in the lord, so let’s talk about how to make it happen.

7 Ways to Encourage Yourself in the Lord

1. Speak Life

I’m not one of those name-it-claim-it-blab-it-grab-it folks. But the Bible says that life and death are in the power of the tongue. Proverbs 18:21

We control the environment of our surroundings with our words. Shouldn’t they speak life!?

2. Pray for joy

There is no powerful tool given to the Christian than the ability to reach out to the Father freely. He cares for you. James 1 is so good. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God,” James 1:5 “The hope of the righteous shall be gladness” Proverbs 10:28

3. Read Encouraging Scriptures

The book of Philippians is sometimes referred to as the Book of Joy. But did you know that Paul wrote the book of Philippians while he was in jail? Could you imagine finding joy in such a place?

I’ve even read that in Bible days it was better being a slave than a prisoner. Sometimes it’s hard for us to find joy in our freedom, but imagine being martyred for the Gospel’s sake and still finding joy! [Grab our free printable Read the Bible in a Year Plan here.]

4. Take good fellowship

One of the worst things a Christian can do when they are struggling is to take up counsel from the ungodly. What good are the unfruitful works to God?

Be sure that your lingering fellowship is with those who can lift you up both physically AND spiritually. Find friends that will love you enough to reprove you in the time of need and encourage you through the times of sorrow.

5. Find yourself in church

When we are struggling, we do our best to make it into the church house as much as possible. We have traveled for hours one way just to be in one service for God to move through us.

Not only is this sacrifice pleasing unto God, but it’s encouraging to constantly be in an atmosphere where His presence is sought.

6. Think on good thoughts

Think about the Negative Nancy in your life. We all have one. Don’t you just get tired of hearing about how terrible everything is? Isn’t it so depressing? Don’t turn into a Negative Nancy when you’re down.

Think on good thoughts. Remind yourself of the things God has blessed you with, think about the trials He brought you through, remember where He brought you from, and think yourself happy!

7. Do something that makes you happy.

Hang out with your friends, read a book, get a pedicure, spend time with your family, go for a bike ride. Find something that brings you joy, even if it’s temporal, and do it. For that time, give your burdens to Jesus and find joy in His creation and the things He’s blessed you with.

1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.”

What are some things you have done to encourage yourself in the Lord?

28 Comments

  1. Jardon James says:

    I needed this especially #6 last night; i have so many testimonies that I should’ve remembered and give praises for but my brain was so tired all I was doing is complain but thank God for good friends she was there encouraging me. Anyone reading this in everything give praises to the lord. Many times I’ve been in a situation and little prayer saved me. I remembered I had an assignment that was due at 11:59pm and I was working on it after 8pm, so much work then my laptop began to give trouble I had to restart and the work wasn’t saved. I aid a little prayer I restarted and pull up the excel sheet all the work was gone, I started to get flustered and upset then after 5 mins of giving up I saw a backup file on my screen, all my work was restored, I saw it earlier however because I was mumbling I missed it. i started to jump for joy and give praises to lord

    1. Josky Shams says:

      Thanks for speaking to me.

    2. HEY, I AM TRYING TO ENCOURAGE MYSELF READING MY , BIBLE PRAYING LISTENING TO PREACHING AND LISTENING TO BBN CHRISTIAN RADIO PASSING OUT TRACTS I SURE NEED THIS SOO MUCH PRAY FOR ME , RODNEY CROSBY AS I GO THREW THIS TRAIL , I WRITE TRACTS MYSELF , HERE IS 1 SOMEDAY I GET SAVED SOMEDAY I REPENT OF MY SINS SOMEDAY I GET RIGHT WITH GOD OH TODAY IS SOMEDAY I DIED , NOW I AM IN HELL SOMEDAY WILLBE TO LATE AS IT IS APPOINTED UNTO MEN ONCE TO DIE BUT, AFTER THIS THE JUDGEMENT HEBREWS 9:27 MARK 9-48 WHERE THEIR WORM DIETH , NOT AND THE FIRE IS , NOT, QUENCHED ,

  2. After getting on my knees, praying, and after that having had a good cry, i googled “encouraging yourself in faith” and your blog came up. Perfect! And reading all the comments showed me that I am not alone. We all go through our trials and dark valleys. We all can reach for our Faith, and encourage ourselves by holding on to God’s Word. Thank you for bringing us all together here. God bless you!

  3. Thank you! Very encouraging. We must continue to worship God in the midst of our trials and afflictions. We read it and quote it but we must live these truths. Love you!

  4. Cassandra Fears says:

    Good afternoon, I stumbled upon your site because today’s message was Encourage Yourself. I began to question myself to see if I encourage myself in the Lord. When I start to read your message, it was confirmation that i am on the right track. A lot of times we are being obedient to the word and if it was instilled in you as a child you do it and it’s just a part of you. I just want to thank you for helping me to stay on the right path.

    1. Brooke Poston says:

      Thanks for reading, Cassandra! I’m glad this was an encouragement to you!

  5. Deidre Johnson says:

    I did a search on the scripture / verse that speaks of “David encouraged himself in the Lord”, and happened upon this blog. Your message here is very encouraging. God Bless you. (((HUG)))

    1. Patricia Siegel says:

      I did the same. David was granted victory from the Lord. I also looked up we are not ignorant of his (Satan’s) devices. Stay in the Word, pray, worship put on the whole arm out of God & fellowship.

      1. As we read your testimony and encouraging Scriptures it reminded us of a passage in the Bible. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of understanding. Just knowing that He’s forgiving, kind, loving and merciful allows us to faithfully be at peace and truly rest in Him. As our comforter we believe that no matter what we face in our lives He will never forsake nor will He leave us. God promises to always attend to our needs and some of our desires. We’ve learned to spend time with Him daily. Amen

  6. Shuntwanet Ruiz says:

    What a blessing from heaven above you have encouraged me through so many tough times that I’ve been going through. I believe in everything you said from scriptures, for I have been practicing some,but you have given me more. God bless you!

  7. Your comment is awaiting moderation.

    I really needed this today. I am feeling a little discouraged and anxious about God’s plans for my life. It feels like He isn’t doing anything or moving as fast as I want Him to. So I listened to Donald Lawrence’s Encourage Yourself a few times today, and took the liberty of printing out a few pages of Scriptured that will encouarge me in the Lord.

    I shed a few tears a few minutes ago, and I’ve prayed for the Lord to calm my anxious and downtrodden heart and spirit.

    I have to trust He has heard me and the Holy Spirit will comfort me when I can’t find comfort in myself.

  8. Thank you from a Gramma

  9. I was down this morning and this evening, I felt so overwhelmed about having to do so much for my family when there’s more adult than just me in the house. After reading your story I feel better and decided to just pray about it and let God handle it. Thank you!

  10. I love this! So encouraging and confirming. To God be the Glory!

  11. Grace Amenya says:

    Thanks so much for reading these seven verses they have encouraged my breaking heart. I have learnt that though I feel that all is not well my saviour Jesus Christ can let me slip. I’m encouraged to think on things that make me happy for indeed I have testimony of how the Lord has brought me from low life and provided for me. I’m at peace for I feel the Lord has taken over my burden. Amen

  12. Ethelbert says:

    A nice read this morning. Finding interesting and uplifting scriptures like psalm 42 is an excellent way to encourage yourself in the Lord. Feeling very down this morning , the song from verse 1 flashed in my mind and i immediately read the entire chapter , now i am refreshed. My search for other scriptures 1samuel30:6 brought me to this site.
    God bless you

  13. Thank you Heavenly father, for such lovely and encouraging verses this morning, as I begin a new day, I receive all the blessing that are coming my way. I am encouraged and blessed to have read these this morning. Once again thank you.

  14. Teirany Young says:

    I really needed this source of confirmation and confidence this morning! You are a great writer, and I definitely will be returning to read more!! Thanks again! God bless!

  15. Ampurire Lillian says:

    Thanks Brooke, this has lightened me up this evening.

  16. I thank God for this in Jesus name

  17. solid words am going put them in action

    1. Thanks Brooke for the encouraging word,i am blessed .may God richly bless you.

  18. donald scott huber says:

    Thanks, Brook. This was a nice pick me up this morning. Recovering from surgery today, feeling down and discouraged. Scripture can soothe, if I let it. I’m casting my my care upon him. Thanks for the reminder!! Scott Huber

  19. Thank you, I needed some encouragement today! This morning was a rough one, but when I heard my 4 year old start singing my favorite gospel song while doing her chores it made me remember how much joy we can have if we just claim it.
    I need to work on fellowship, it’s so hard to make Christian mommy friends, and I think that Satan encourages us to be ‘too busy’, ‘too tired’, and ‘too distracted’ to actually make time for fellowship. I will make an effort this week to make those connections and fellowship with my Church family. Thank you for the kick in the pants!

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