How to Encourage Yourself

“Then it happened when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had made a raid on the Negev and on Ziklag, and had overthrown Ziklag and burned it with fire; and they took captive the women and all who were in it, both small and great, without killing anyone, and carried them off and went their way. When David and his men came to the city, behold, it was burned with fire, and their wives and their sons and their daughters had been taken captive. Then David and the people who were with him lifted their voices and wept until there was no strength in them to weep. Now David’s two wives had been taken captive, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite. Moreover David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” 1 Samuel 30:1-6
 
Even for those who have loyal, loving friends, there are times when it seems as if God places us in a spiritual isolation cell where our problem is visible only to us and God. These seasons are ripe for discouragement and hopelessness.

David was precisely at this point. Ziklag was burned. Women and children (including his own) were captured by the invading Amalekites. His own men were ready to stone him. It could not get any worse. David’ reaction? “... But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God” (1 Sam. 30:6).
   
We strengthen ourselves in the Lord when we know that God is greater than our problem. Whatever your Ziklag - money family, addiction, work, sickness - God is able to handle it, for it is not outside His power.

We strengthen ourselves in the Lord when we recount God’s past deliverances. Has God ever let you down? Has He ever abandoned or forsaken you? No, and He never will (Heb. 13:5).

The solution to your problem - whatever it is - lies in trusting a mighty, loving God Who will take our tender, small faith and work the impossible on our behalf.

“...‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.’” John 6:68