by wendy | Apr 2, 2020 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Focus on God, Trusting God
God is constantly at work in my life – and in yours – whether we are aware or not. He is present in the sermons I listen to, the Scripture I read, the songs I hear, the people that encourage me, and in the circumstances of my every day. If I simply coast through my days without paying attention I am likely to miss what He is doing, but if I am intentional about connecting the dots I can begin to see a pattern. Journaling is the key to following the path of His encouragement.
Listed below are 3 journal prompts I use every week to connect the dots:
1. Where have you seen God at work?
Reflect back through the week to see where God has been at work. What prayers were answered? What issues were resolved? What blessings were received? What opportunities to serve came up? Look specifically for God’s protection, provision, and presence.
“My Father is alway at his work to this very day, and I too am working.”
John 5:17
2. What has God taught you through His Word?
Take notes during sermons – we have an incredible opportunity to attend any church we want online during this pandemic, but be certain you are “attending” Bible-preaching churches. Underline specific verses in your devotional and Bible Study. Record verses that jump out to you on social media. Pay close attention to any Scripture that comes up in your week.
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12
3. What other resources has God used to speak to you?
Think beyond your normal “spiritual activities” of the week. Besides church, Bible Study, and prayer, what else has God used to speak to you this week? God is not limited to any resource, and while we should not put too much stock in any one thing (other than the Bible) God often speaks through other people and our circumstances. We often don’t recognize God in these things until we see them in context of what else He is teaching us.
“To whom can I speak and give warning? Who will listen to me?”
Jeremiah 6:10
Each one of these “God touches” is a point on a path that He is leading us along. When we write these things down, we can be more intentional about connecting the dots and following the path of His encouragement.
by wendy | Apr 1, 2020 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Tips for Encouraging Others
My friend Heather has a fascinating approach to her quiet time. She has a variety of yearly devotional books that she reads from daily. Every morning, she turns to the date in each book and reads the words of wisdom from several writers, and though the perspectives may vary, there is often a common theme. In and of itself, this practice is helpful – but Heather takes it a step further. In each of those books, she records how the words and Scriptures speak to her on that day of that year. Each year that passes therefore, not only provides Heather with the words of the authors, but also her own words. She is taken back to the struggles and victories of years past and able to recall the truths God spoke to her personally through the authors of the devotionals and her time spent with Him.
Heather has been sharing these thoughts with me for years. When I am struggling, she will often send me a photo of several of her devotionals for that day. Because she has invested time in these books, she also knows where to find specific writings to speak to my concern. The words she has read and written are no longer encouraging her heart alone, now they are encouraging mine!
Heather’s devotion to reading and writing about God’s truth has inspired and instructed my own practices. I now write similar notes and thoughts in my Bible as I am studying as well as in any book I may be reading at the time. I also love the opportunities I have to share these notes with other friends and family as they come to me with struggles of their own.
We usually think of journaling as something for ourselves, but I have discovered that it is often just as useful in encouraging others.
5 Ways Journaling Helps Us Encourage Others
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Journaling reminds me of my past thoughts.
I am always changing and growing and I have a tendency to expect others to be on the same wavelength that I am on right now. When I read my notes, I remember that I have had different thoughts in each stage of my life. How I understood life as a young wife and parent is vastly different from the way I think now that I have experienced grown children. The value in recollecting my thoughts from past seasons is to remember that the struggles I felt then were valid and real. I now have the benefit of knowing the strength that God gave me to persevere in those difficult times and to be able to comfort someone else in a season that I have lived through.
2. Journaling reminds me of how I have struggled.
I sometimes forget the struggle. Perhaps it is because I tend to be an optimist or maybe I have simply blocked the hard times, but my life has not been easy or perfect and it is important for me to remember that. It is the hardships in life that have grown me the most and if I cannot remember what was hard then I may not remember the lesson. Recalling difficulties gives me more compassion for others and also helps me to continue to walk in gratitude for the blessings I have in my life. While I should never dwell on the difficulties, remembering gives way to praise and thanksgiving and helps me to better encourage others who are struggling in similar ways.
3. Journaling reminds me of how I have grown.
There are times when I am discouraged by my lack of progress. Days, weeks, months, and even years have gone by when I feel like I am stuck in a rut. This feeling of being trapped in my own inability to move forward prompted me to create a weekly assessment for myself. For the last year, I have recorded answers to prompts like “How did I handle conflict this week?” And “What did I do this week to work toward my goal?” Journaling my responses has helped me to face the reality of places where I am truly stuck, but also to celebrate forward progress. Looking back over a year of assessment gives me the opportunity to see how I have really grown. As I have learned to look for my own progress, I am able to encourage others to do the same.
4. Journaling reminds me of the help I have received from God.
One of my favorite prompts in my weekly assessment is, “Where have I seen God at work this week?” It has become a discipline for me to look for God at work in my every day. At first, I was only able to think of a few things to write, but as I began the practice of thinking back and examining the week for “God sightings” suddenly I was able to see Him everywhere! Now, I often run out of space writing down all of the ways I see Him at work. When I read my previous notes about my struggles and difficulties and then about how God helped, strengthened, provided, protected, and was present – I can’t help but share that good news with others!
5. Journaling reminds me how others have encouraged me.
I love recalling the encouragement of others so much that I made this a prompt in my assessment – “How have other encouraged me this week?” It is so easy to feel alone in my struggles. When I record encouragement that I have received, I am able to revive my own sense of community. Written encouragement (even when it is my own words) encourages the heart over and over. When I read about how someone called, wrote a note, prayed for me, cooked a meal, gave a gift, texted – any form of encouragement – I am encouraged all over again and inspired to encourage others in the same way.
Today is the day to begin journaling. Whether you scribble notes in your Bible or start a formal journal, your practice of recording your journey is the first step in encouraging others!
“My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge. With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.”
Psalm 71:15-16
by wendy | Mar 30, 2020 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Focus on God, Trusting God
I have always been fascinated with the way trees grow toward the light. Trees were created to adjust and grow in whatever way they need survive and thrive- and so are we.
This year has been a season of pivoting for me – adjusting to change, preparing for a new adventure. I sensed it coming and began to turn – slowly and gradually like a tree growing to the light. I wasn’t really clear about what the changes meant, but I journaled along the way. Now, looking back through my notes, I am just beginning to see a pattern of points that hint at God’s plan for me – a lightly beaten path worn through the thicket that seems to lead in particular direction. Reading my own journal provides a light of encouragement – and I am inclined to grow towards that light.
The world seems to be changing daily right now and we need to know how to adjust so we can survive and thrive. Here are 3 Ways to Grow Toward the Light:
- Look for Patterns of Light in your life. If you are not already journaling, you are limiting the opportunity to see patterns of God at work. For the last year, I have devoted one day a week to looking back at the week before and answering some assessment questions for myself. One of the most valuable questions has been, “Where have you see God at work this week?” This practice has been instrumental in my season of pivoting. At times though, my journaling is simply a list of things that happened each day scribbled in my planner. Social media posts, text messages to friends and family, and even the schedule in your calendar can all serve as journaling as well. Spend some time looking back through your journals, posts, messages, and calendar to see if you notice any patterns of God’s involvement in your life – this is light! Establish a practice of reflecting on those patterns and writing them down.
“He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.”
Daniel 2:22
- Become familiar with the Source of Light. In John 8:12 Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” The best way to follow Jesus is to get to know him by reading the Bible. God will never ask you to pivot or adjust in any way opposite from his word – He does not change even when the world is changing drastically every day. The enemy will try to distract us by disguising himself as an “angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14); we need to be alert so we are not tricked by the devil’s schemes (Ephesians 6:11).
“God made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”
2 Corinthians 4:6
- Pay attention When You Cannot See the Light. Opposition does not always mean that you are not in God’s will. In fact, we will often face difficulty when we are moving in the right direction, but we need discernment to understand if we are being discouraged by the enemy or disciplined by God. Perhaps one of the most well-known adjustments in the Bible is Saul to Paul – pivoting from persecuting Christians to becoming one of the apostles and greatest evangelists. God sent a blinding light to take away Saul’s sight in order to cause him to open his eyes to the calling God had on his life. In Acts 26:18, Jesus announced, “I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light.” Though Paul could not see with his physical eyes during that time, the light of Christ shone brightly to lead Paul as he adjusted. In moments when we feel we cannot see the light, we need to press in even more.
“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth.”
Isaiah 42:16
These days may seem dark and full of fear. In order to adjust – to survive and thrive – we must always turn to the light and grow!
by wendy | Mar 26, 2020 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Focus on God, Godly Relationships
“Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.”
Proverbs 25:25
I stumbled onto this proverb the other day when I was looking up the passage for my earlier post about living on the corner of the roof. The reference to a distant land struck me immediately as the new term “social distancing” has become a part of the world’s recent vocabulary. Suddenly, in this particular time, the neighbors house is a distant land, our friend’s homes are distant lands, our co-workers live in a distant land – everywhere beyond our own front porch is distant. But that distance shouldn’t stop us from sharing good news!
There are so many weary souls today. As routines change, jobs become non-essential, supplies become scarce and so do our patience, everyone could use some good news. It might seem difficult to think of any good news to share, but if we can look beyond our circumstances of the moment we will find the good news to be plentiful!
I am inspired as I see friends using their gifts this week to share good news in many ways – here are a few ideas for us all to share:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-5
I love the way this version describes our comfort as overflowing. When we have experienced the comfort that God offers, we can’t help but want to share that comfort with others. This is especially true when we have a similar suffering. We may all have a unique set of circumstances, but right now, they are still framed by separation from others and the economic consequences of a national shutdown. We can offer comfort because we understand – we are experiencing the same trouble.
What comfort can you share with a weary soul today?
“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
John 15:11
Jesus certainly knew that his words of God’s love and remaining in that love would bring us joy. We can also share our joy – the joy of remaining in God’s love – and when we do, we can expect that our joy will spill over onto others. Joy is contagious and it is not based on circumstances. With God’s love, we can have joy in spite of our circumstances.
What joy can you share with a weary soul today?
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13
When we are filled with the joy and peace of God, our hope is for more than this world. Even as everything we know in this life is changing daily, we can have hope that all is well eternally. If I hope for today, that is good, but temporary. If I hope for eternity, then that hope carries me through today – and tomorrow – and every day. I have that hope and I want to share it with the world because that, my friends, is the best news!
What hope can you share with a weary soul today?
In a practical sense, please do not think that your gifts are useless in this time. My friends are sharing music, exercise, reading, teaching, photos, and so much more. There is room for everyone to share – there is no limit to the need for encouragement! As is often said in our Hope*writers group, “You have something to share and the world needs to hear it!” – even if shared from a distance.
by wendy | Mar 25, 2020 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Tips for Encouraging Others
Some of my favorite social media posts lately have been those of the teachers and pastors reaching out to their students and congregations. Their efforts have been nothing short of creative and passionate. Two kindergarten teachers I know (I taught them in elementary school!) have created a facebook group where they post throughout the day to their students and families. Another elementary school teacher friend is mailing letters to her students and asking them to be “pen pals” with her. The pastors are going live with encouraging messages and reminders and even holding meetings in the parking lots where people can worship from the safety of their cars. The best part of all of this? Each of these people are including the rest of us in their encouragement.
“Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors, and teachers, to equip his people for works of service.”
Ephesians 4:11
Teachers and pastors are not excited about the opportunity of taking a vacation during this crisis because they understand their purpose is to equip the people. Purpose doesn’t stop in the face of a pandemic – instead it pushes back until it finds a way. We are not all pastors and teachers, but we can (and should) all be encouragers. The purpose of an encourager is to give courage – and it is time to get to work!
“Be strong and courageous and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged for the LORD God, my God, is with you.”
1 Chronicles 28:20
We understand that teachers and pastors have a specific group of people that are within their sphere of influence, but we should remember that we all have influence. Take some time today to think about who your people are. Begin with your family and list the names of those you can encourage. Don’t stop at those that live in your house but continue on to include extended family as well. Neighbors, co-workers, fellow church-members – each of the groups that you are involved with in your regular life – these are the people whose lives you touch.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Colossians 3:23
There are many ideas floating around right now for encouragement. Whether you encourage on social media, write letters, paint pictures, deliver meals, or simply smile at the people you see at a safe distance – God sees your heart and it matters to him. This is the work right now – this is our purpose. Set it in your heart to do the work of an encourager and get to it!
Here are some ideas for being an encourager today:
- Send a note (I will probably say this one every time!) -Pick someone from your Christmas card list or someone in your small group. It doesn’t matter if it is on plain paper or a cute card and it doesn’t even need to include a lot of words – just letting someone know you are thinking of them will go a long way!
- Call someone -Jerry and I are using our church directory to check on a few people each day. You may want to check on extended family members or even your co-workers. If no one answers leave a message. The sound of your voice will brighten their day.
- Do a service for someone – Does your neighbor need their mailbox fixed or a garden weeded? Can you clean out the gutters for a family member? Offer to pick up something from the store or run an errand for someone who can’t (or shouldn’t) get out.
- Post an encouraging scripture – Share a verse from your morning devotional or a thought you heard from an online pastor. If the verse had an impact on you then it probably will for someone else.
- Text or message – Think about those who do a regular service for you – dental hygienist, hair stylist, mail carrier, pastor, teacher, doctor, personal trainer, shop owner – I could go on and on. Whether they are currently working or not, they could use some encouragement. Send a text, a message, an email to let them know you are thinking about them and you miss seeing them.
- Share your happy moments and the beauty of your day – I love the photos of sunsets, flowers blooming, cute pets, and art projects. Each one of these makes me smile and lifts my spirits. Let’s keep sharing what makes our day happy!
This verse from Ephesians continues to encourage me to do the work of encouragement – may it spur you on as well!
“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
Ephesians 4:16
by wendy | Mar 23, 2020 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Focus on God, Trusting God
Last spring and summer became seasons of storms – literal storms. It seemed like every week brought severe thunderstorms with thunder and lightening and damaging winds. A frequent activity during that time included standing at the window watching the clouds rolling in and the leaves whipping with gusts that threatened to topple trees and sever power lines. We feared losing the old trees in our yard – particularly those that could fall on our house – and with good cause as one of our largest trees became uprooted in one such disturbance. The power of each storm ushered in a wave of fear with the realization of my own powerlessness, but there was also a certain level of assurance as I watched from the safety of my home. Though I know that my home could sustain damage from the storm, I also trusted that it would shelter me through it – ultimately I felt safe.
A Different Kind of Storm..
This spring brings a different kind of storm. Though the weather is calm, the pandemic we are living through has not been so unlike a severe storm rolling through. As the edge of the dark cloud approached, we had warning of something menacing, but many of us did not anticipate the widespread threat this virus would bring to everyone and everything we know. As uncertain as life feels at this time, we need to run to the shelter that will sustain us!
A Lesson for Them – and Us…
I am reminded of the lesson Jesus’s disciples learned as they experienced a storm. Mark 4 tells the story of Jesus and the disciples in a boat in the middle of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus, exhausted from a long day of ministry, slept through the whipping wind and furious waves while the other men in the boat worried. When they finally woke him, their words echo what I might be tempted to feel even today. “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” (Mark 4:38)
Even while I am entertaining the very same sentiment, I am also tempted to judge these men. If they only understood who their traveling companion really was, surely they would not have been afraid. Didn’t they know that God was in control? Couldn’t they see that Jesus was never in danger and, because they were with him, neither were they?
How Should We Respond?
Jesus response was to first calm the storm and then to question their faith. It is important to note that he was never suprised by the disciples’ fear. Instead, his question was to prompt them to consider what they really believed. Their reaction was to ask themselves the question we too must ask. “Who is this?” (Mark 4:41)
Truthfully, though today’s storm is full of real and tangible dangers – sickness, financial instability, shortage of supplies – another enemy is the lack of knowledge and fear of deceit. It is difficult to know who to trust and there is no shortage of false information and fear. The remedy for fear is trust and the antidote for deceit is truth. Thank God we have access to both! Ephesians 4:11-16 reminds us that we have been given people to equip us so that we can understand who God is.
“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.” Ephesians 4:14
We can know God – in fact he wants us know him (see Jeremiah 9:23-24) – and when we know him we can trust that he is able to do what he says he can do. Let us use this time – in the midst of the storm – to run to him and trust his power.
“The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10
Here are some practical tips for weathering our current storm:
- There is a plethora of encouragement on the internet right now. Choose wisely (sound biblical teaching) but use the resources available to receive the encouragement you need – and pass it on. (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
- Read the Bible. Listening to teachers and preachers is valuable, but reading God’s Word yourself is the best way to gird yourself in truth. (Ephesians 6:14)
- Spend time in prayer. Pray for God’s wisdom and guidance, pray for the health and protection of your friends and family, pray for our nation and our world. (Philippians 4:6-7)
- Be an encouragement to others. Reach out – we have an opportunity to connect with people on a deeper level while we are without the distractions of our usual lives. (Hebrews 3:13)
- Look for God in every day and record where you see him at work. There is no better way to encourage yourself than to remind yourself of how God has shown up in your own life. (1 Samuel 30:6)
