God Encourages Us!
I am so excited about this week’s blog! One of my favorite things to do is encourage and support others who are spreading the Gospel. I met 2 amazing ladies (Amanda & Alley) this fall when I recorded a podcast episode with them. They have just released a 30 Day Devotional entitled: “Living Out Loud’s 30 Days of Encouragement with Alley & Amanda.” I am so happy for them and their giant step of faith! This week’s blog is from them and it firmly sets our heart in the Christmas Spirit. Enjoy and go support these ladies in their mission to live a life OUT LOUD for Jesus :)
God Encourages Us!
I can only imagine how Mary felt being told she would conceive and give birth to a baby. Not only a baby, but the savior of the world. Since Mary was a virgin, she must have been beyond overwhelmed by feelings of shock and an unknown future. There must have been questions running through her mind like would anyone believe her & what would happen with her & Joseph. Even though she trusted the Lord , this could not have been anywhere near easy for her. Can you think of a life changing moment in your life where you got news that left you overwhelmed with fear? Fear of what people would think or fear of what would happen. Plus, all of the what if’s. We are human and even if we love and trust the Lord with everything we are, there are at least a few seconds if not hours that our minds are racing with fear or doubt in life changing circumstances. The prayer & goal is that we battle those moments by taking captive every thought and battle it with God’s promises to us. Still, before getting to that place, the enemy takes advantage of those moments by throwing the mindful attacks our way.
As I was reading in Luke 1 this Christmas season verses 36 -56 ( read below) really stood out to me. In Verse 36, The angel tells Mary about Elizabeth conceiving a son in her old age. First, let me say that I love Encouragement! I love encouragement because our God is the master encourager. It amazes me how God cares about every detail in our lives and how he goes to great lengths to encourage us. He always goes before us in all things. Yes, we will have trials. We are not promised a pain free life. In fact, God says we will have trouble in this life, but to take heart because he has overcome the world. Not only has He overcome the world, but He promises He will never leave us. One of the ways we can feel His presence through troubling times is through encouragement. The angel told Mary about Elizabeth’s miracle. This gave Mary confidence to visit Elizabeth. Elizabeth was able to affirm & comfort Mary immediately. Mary needed this and God knew it. God’s orchestration of Elizabeth & Mary conceiving around the same time was no coincidence. Mary ended up staying with Elizabeth for 3 months. Look how God provided for her. Just like God went before Mary and provided her with the encouragement from another friend at the perfect timing, God does that for us. He wants us to be encouraged! I can’t help, but to think about these two women and how they were able to affirm each other in the lord. I think about how important encouragement is to give and to receive. I think about how important it is for me to be seeking the Lord not only for my life, but to be able to give support and godly council to other women in my life. I think about how crucial it is that I surround myself with prayer warrior women who are in the word so that I may receive truth and wisdom when those hard life changing seasons come in my life. Most of all this gives me so much comfort knowing that no matter how painful life may get, I can trust that God has already gone before me and truly does have it all under control. Things may get tough, but not only will JESUS be in the fire with me, but He will encourage me through it. Well, because He loves me and He knows that I need it and wants me to have it. My encouragement to you friend today is to make sure you never isolate yourself. It’s important to stay connected. The enemy does not want you to receive encouragement. Be like Mary and follow God’s leading. He will lead you straight into the encouragement you need.
