There is Hope: Encourage Yourself

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Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)

⁸ The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Cros

Deuteronomy 31:8 : S Ex 13:21Deuteronomy 31:8 : S Ge 28:15;IIiiIIIIIIIIIII   IIIIIIIIIIIIIiiiIIIIIIIIIIIIII It is said that “Music soothes the soul.”  I believe that.  Whenever I need encouragement, I think of my favorite songs and then scriptures come to mind. "Not the Time, Not the Place" by Marvin Sapp has lyrics that have ministered to my soul when I have literally felt alone and pressed on every side.  It seemed like every time I went through one trial, here comes another.  One day I just wanted rest and peace.  What I had failed to acknowledge at the time was that God saw me through every bit of my pain, sorrow, and hopeless feelings.  We, as believers in Christ, are never alone.

Verse 1:]
“This is not the time for giving up,
this is not your place where you should be,
not the time or the place to lie in defeat,
you got to hold on, you got be strong.

[Verse 2:]
This is not not the time to question your faith,
this is not your place of destiny,
it's not the time or the place to throw in the towel,
you gotta hold on, you you gotta be strong.”

When I listened to Marvin’s song over and over again, my spirit stirred and I thought of:

 2 Corinthians 4:8-12 (NIV)  

8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body

There is another song that deeply touches me when I feel that I am going through too much “stuff”.  I got all wrapped up in the negative and forgot to focus on the good in this world.  I was assigned to create a praise dance by my servant leader for “Total Surrender” which was a praise dance workshop conducted at my church this past July.  So I prayed and fasted because I knew I needed to seek God.  The spirit led me to dance to “For Every Mountain” by Kurt Carr & the Kurt Carr Singers.

“For waking me up this morning
That's why I praise You
For sending me on my way
That's why I praise You
For letting me see the sunshine
Of a brand new day
A brand new mercy
Along with each new day
That's why I praise You and for this
I give You praise”

After listening to the song, a scripture came to mind:

John 16:33 (NIV)

³³ “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

There are going to be times when you may feel hopeless, alone, and desperate for help. We cannot rely on feelings, but by the word of God.  So the next time you feel overwhelmed by your circumstance, encourage yourself.  Listen to some uplifting gospel or Christian music, pray, and read your bible.  Ask God to direct you to the right scripture.  Pray and meditate on His holy word.  You will feel better and you will be strengthened to face whatever comes your way. It has worked for me. Remember, you are not alone!