Focus...

What do you mean by encouraging yourself?

    My friend was feeling hopeless.  She admitted she had been spending time talking with others who probably helped to fuel that despair.  As she looked at me, I could see in her eyes the desire for some answers. I wondered if her feelings were being determined by her focus. Thinking of David in the Bible, I encouraged her to seek a new focus instead of dwelling on the circumstances that were familiar to her. And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God (1 Samuel 30:6 KJV).

     I began sharing how I had learned from David’s experience that it begins by looking to God.  I look to the hills! Where will I find help? It will come from the Lord, who created the heavens and the earth (Psalms 121:1-2).

     I believe once you take your eyes (focus) off of the situation and look unto God, answers emerge because you begin questioning God, just like David. Then David asked the Lord, “Should I go after the people who raided our town? Can I catch up with them?” “Go after them,” the Lord answered… (1 Samuel 30:8 CEV). 

     Questions help to release the burdens you are carrying. Questions become the opportunities for God to solve your mystery.  I believe God has all the answers so I load him up with my burdens.  In God’s presence, answers emerge that birth solutions to overcome the struggles and problems in my life.  I wanted my friend to see maybe it was time she got God involved in her life!

     Remember, life does not have to be full of pain.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7 KJV ) .