by wendy | Jan 23, 2023 | Uncategorized
As I shared recently – watch this video – I am focusing on planning for peace in my life this year. Once thing I have learned through our journey of “cleaning up and getting ready” is that peace can be found by making space for it. I am working on doing just that – making space – in 6 areas of my life and I would like to share those with you. I hope you will join me in this journey.
1. Make space in your hours.
Making space in your hours is all about planning your days. As a reminder, true inner peace is God-produced. Shalom or eiréné – peace – is not something we can create for ourselves, but it is something we can access through Jesus Christ within us. Planning for peace – or making space for it – is a part of that process. By planning our days we are leaving more room for the peace of God to guard our hearts and minds.
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:7
To be transparent, I struggle with planning. I generally plan too much or not at all. I am learning more about setting margins in my life and allowing space around my plans so that the inevitable interruptions of life don’t completely wreck my peace.
We can have more peace in our day when we look ahead to anticipate what is to come.
2. Make space in your head.
by wendy | Jan 5, 2023 | Uncategorized
Watch Video Here:
So many people talk about resolutions and goals this time of year – I think we all appreciate new beginnings and second chances and do overs – and I am no different! Over the years my goal setting and resolution making has evolved and I am learning more and more about setting goals with grace and developing a system for continuous assessment and goal setting that makes meeting my goals more actionable and achievable. One of the ways I have streamlined that process is to focus my goals on four main areas in my life – spiritual (God and me), relational (people and me), personal (my body, mind, and home), and financial (my resources and me). I have a series of questions I ask myself regularly and my responses to those questions help me to shape my next steps – my action steps.
Today, I want to share the questions I ask myself about my relationships – and for one main reason. I want us to ponder the question:
Am I an encourager?
In Hebrews 3:13 the Bible tells us to“Encourage each other daily”and I don’t believe this is just a suggestion – the theme of lifting one another up and encouraging each other is repeated over and over in Scripture – I believe encouragement is a very important part of obeying the command to love one another.
Here are the questions I ask myself regularly to honestly assess my relationships with others:
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How did I encourage or bless others?
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How did others encourage or bless me?
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How did I handle situations and conflict?
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What do I hope to change about my relationships with others?
All of these are great questions to ask ourselves and I think at the core they are getting to the same question:
Am I an encourager?
I think most of us would like to think that we are encouraging – though I have met a few people along the way that make their goal to be as negative and abrasive as possible – I really don’t think most of us aspire to that as a life goal. But are we actually being encouraging on a day to day basis?
If I were to ask someone close to you to describe you would they use the word encouraging?
I truly believe becoming an encourager is an attitude shift and it requires us to be intentional and to actually practice encouragement. That is one of my main goals for this channel – to encourage you – yes – but also to equip you to be encouragers!
In order to make an honest assessment of whether or not you are truly an encourager, lets look at just a few of the qualities the Bible suggests for us:
1. Encourage and strengthen yourself in the LORD
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”
2 Peter 1:3
(see video on contentment)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13
God’s Word and His Spirit are the only true encouragement we can count on in this life. His word is living truth and has the power to change our hearts and our minds. When we encourage ourselves by reading, meditating on, and applying God’s Word to our lives and allowing the Holy Spirit to work within us, we have everything we need to encourage others.
2. Think encouraging thoughts
It is a scientific fact that we tend to act based on what we think – this is why the world tends to teach about “Positive thinking” and while positive thinking alone is not enough, the Bible teaches us this concept about our thoughts as well.
“Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Philippians 4:8
It is hard to be negative and discouraging when you follow this line of thinking. And please don’t miss that while this list is truly positive – it is not self-focused and that is where we divert from the world’s version of positive thinking.
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Colossians 3:2
This verse reminds us that we should focus our thoughts and minds on a godly perspective rather than a worldly or self-focused perspective. When we begin to see others and the circumstances around them through the eyes of God, we are more likely to be able to encourage them.
3. Smile
I love when science “proves” what God has already told us don’t you? I read an article in Psychology Today that relates the affect that smiling has on our own brain and on the brains of others. The physical act of smiling releases good stuff into our bodies that can have healing effects in ourselves. But smiling is also contagious. Studies show that is actually difficult for someone to not smile when you smile at them. This means that you can help another person release that good stuff into their own bodies! Wow – but we shouldn’t be surprised by this!
“A cheerful look brings joy to the heart.”
Proverbs 15:30
“A glad heart makes a happy face … for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.”
Proverbs 15:13-15
I would love to challenge you to try this out – make it an experiment for the week. Whenever you are around others – at home or out and about – practice smiling at people. If you really want to see how this works particularly smile at those that are frowning or seem down. You will be amazed at the reactions you get. If your resting face – or your normal reaction when you look at others – is not to smile, practice can actually change this.
Smiling is the simplest and purest form of encouragement you can give to anyone without even speaking. It lets people know they are seen and appreciated.
4. Listen
We may be afraid of becoming an encourager because we fear we will not have the right words to say, but we can actually be most encouraging by simply listening. Just as people have a need to be seen, they also need to be heard. Listening says to the other person that you care about their words and their feelings. Listening is not the same as agreeing – so you can actively listen to someone that is not like-minded and this increases the chance that they will actually listen to you as well. But it also opens up the opportunity to share your own thoughts in a safe environment. I once had a student say to me that she thought I was very open-minded because I listened to her without judgement. This gave me the opportunity to explain that I was not open-minded (my beliefs and standards are firmly set in biblical teachings) but instead I am open-hearted. It is only when the world can see us as caring and loving instead of judgmental and hypocritical, that we are demonstrating the love of Christ.
“Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;”
James 1:19
“If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.”
Proverbs 18:13
5. Speak encouraging words
I have often been challenged to listen to my own words and to think about what effect they have had on others. Our words have such power and yet we sometimes fling them around as if they have no consequence. I left this one until last because I think it is impossible to speak truly encouraging words unless we first encourage ourselves, think encouraging thoughts, smile, and listen. Once those things are firmly in place, we cannot help but to speak the right thing.
One of the most challenging verses in the Bible is from Ephesians 4:29
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs that it may benefit those who listen.”
Ephesians 4:29
We could spend hours unpacking that verse, but for right now let’s simply put our own words through that filter for the next several days. Test yourself to see if you are able to stick to that standard or do you find yourself muttering unwholesome and unhelpful things to others or about others.
Here is a verse I have often prayed as I have asked the Lord to help me to be an encourager:
“The Sovereign LORD has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.”
Isaiah 50:4
by wendy | Dec 8, 2022 | Tips for Encouraging Others, Uncategorized
There is perhaps no better season for encouragement than the holidays – especially at Christmas. In general, most of us are in a giving mood around this time of year – and that attitude primes our heart for encouragement. But we need to realize that this time of year is not jolly for everyone. In fact, many people around us are hurting in a variety of ways. For this reason, its important for us to have our eyes and our hearts open for the many opportunities to encourage those around us – both our friends and family and those we don’t even know.
You might have an opportunity through your church or another organization that you belong to – to give money or gifts to someone in need. Maybe you have someone in your own family that has a particular need you can fill during this time. But if you are like many people, you would like to give to someone but you aren’t really sure where that gift should go.
7 IDEAS FOR BEING READY TO ENCOURAGE
Watch the Video
Often we would love to give or encourage but we aren’t prepared when the time is right. Here are seven ideas for being ready to give and encourage when the opportunity arises:
1. Purchase Gift Cards
Purchase a gift card (or several) from your local big box store or grocery store and keep them in your purse or wallet. You can wait to see someone in need and give them on the spur of the moment – like in a grocery store line. You can put them in a card and mail them to someone. You can give them to your pastor or someone else who may have the knowledge of someone in need.
2. Make a Food Basket
Purchase food items and make a basket to deliver to someone who is struggling or donate it to your local food pantry or social services. Include some essentials and some special treats – have some fun with this. Even if you don’t know who to give it to just yet, prepare it and have it ready.
3. Purchase a box of Christmas Cards
Purchase a box of Christmas cards and sign them with an encouraging note or verse inside. Seal them and put them in your purse or bag. Hand them out to anyone that you think might need a bright spot in their day. It could be your waitress at a restaurant or the young man that checks out your groceries. Or deliver them to your local nursing home or the prison where people might not receive any Christmas cards.
4. Bake some Goodies
Make some baked goods and wrap them up. Deliver them to a service organization – like the firehouse or police station. Or hand them out to the homeless. Or take them to your neighbors.
5. Plan a Meal
Plan a meal and be prepared to invite someone to your home to share it with you and your family. Pray about who might need that gift of hospitality, and then as the time gets closer you can make the invitation.
6. Plan to Help
Look around your neighborhood and think about some people who could use your help. These could be small things like filling the bird feeder or fixing their mailbox, or bigger things like cutting down a dead tree. Plan a time to show up with whatever tools might get the job done and the help that you need to get it accomplished.
7. Purchase Poinsettias
Purchase poinsettias and anonymously drop them off on the porch of someone who could use some cheer. Or deliver them to someone’s office or take them to the hospital and ask for them to go to someone who needs it.
Its really all about being ready to encourage and sometimes that takes a little planning. Even if you don’t yet know who needs the encouragement – you can take the steps to have something ready to give when that opportunity presents itself. We may never know how far this small act of encouragement will go, but we can be sure that we are sharing God’s love with others when spread some Holiday cheer this season.
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
Proverbs 11:25
by wendy | Mar 22, 2021 | Encouragement For Your Heart, Uncategorized
Excerpt from “A Cup of Encouragement” 2007
As I was driving through the Village of Palmyra one day, I began thinking about the new construction that was going on. Apparently, the old bridge that crossed the Rivanna River had become weak and a new bridge was being built. Off in the distance, away from the main road, the work had begun on the new bridge. It was hard to imagine that the road could even connect to that bridge; it seemed so far off the path. I had always used the bridge that I was driving on now and thinking about a change was difficult. Even though I knew in my head that a new bridge would be better, I was comfortable on my same old bridge.
After many months of construction, the new bridge was complete. The connecting road was made and the path to the old bridge was blocked off. It was uncomfortable to make the turn onto the new road, since I had driven the old path so many times, but after weeks of practice, the new became comfortable.
The old road was destroyed and broken up, grass began to grow in its place, and it was sometimes difficult to imagine that it was even there. There were remnants that gave it away though, and every once in a while, the old memories of driving on that bridge enter my mind. Though the new bridge is in a different place, it still leads me to the same destination. Though the old way had become weak and no longer worked to get me where I needed to go, a new way was made for me so that I am still able to continue on. I am thankful now for that new way.
God has a plan, a direction for our lives. He will make a way for us. If the old way, the way we are used to becomes weak and not longer works, He will make a new way. Often, we don’t want to let go of our old ways since they are comfortable. It can be hard to let go of something that has been in our lives for a long time. But God knows when the old is no longer working and He begins in advance to prepare the new way for us. Once the connecting road has been made, it is up to us to change our direction.
There will always be memories of the old way, even after the grass has begun to grow, but we should be thankful for the One who loves us and creates a way that gets us to our destination. We must determine which is more important, the path we travel or the destination. Let the Lord lead you in the new paths of your life. Don’t cling to the old, but embrace the new. He will bring you back to the plan, the direction He has for your life.
“For He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair – every good path.”
Proverbs 2:8-9
“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Proverbs 19:21
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.”
Psalm 32:8
by wendy | Jan 11, 2021 | Encouragement For Your Heart, Uncategorized
In my lifetime I cannot recall such a time of extended corporate suffering and grief. It seems that we are being attacked from every angle these days. Godly people with strong faith are not exempt – in fact they are perhaps more highly aware of the effects of these times on their very souls. Whether we are more sensitive to the political climate, the isolation of the pandemic, or the financial strain of an ever-changing economic culture, most of us are affected by some type of suffering and grief. So how are we – as believers – to respond?
We can respond to suffering and grief by resting in His Word.
It is difficult to rest in something you don’t know or don’t believe in. Spending time in God’s Word helps us to know Him, to understand Him, to rest in Him. We can become confident in His truth when we hide it in our hearts and we see it play out in our lives. There is comfort in knowing and acknowledging the power and sovereignty of God.
“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.”
Isaiah 30:15
We can respond to suffering and grief by reminding our soul.
I have always strongly identified with the words of Luke 2:19, “Mary treasure up all these things and pondered in her heart.”. I am also one who ponders – but I don’t always treasure the right thoughts. Colossians 4:2 tells us to “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” And then reminds us in verse 15 to “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” When I ponder or treasure thoughts of anger, resentment, rejection, grief, and suffering, I am not encouraging my soul. It is not bad to have these thoughts and feelings – in fact we should pour them out honestly to God – but we must not allow ourselves to ponder them. Instead, we need to remind our own soul how faithful God is.
“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.”
Psalm 62:5
We can respond to suffering and grief by remaining in relationship with Him.
David reminds us, in Psalm 139 that “Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.” God knows what we think and feel without us telling Him, but we demonstrate that we trust Him with our hearts when we pour it out to Him. Knowing that God knows and sees us is wonderful, but inviting Him to know and see us – and to lead us – is even more powerful. We enter into, and remain in relationship with Him when we cooperate with the work He is doing in our hearts.
In the beginning of Psalm 139 David acknowledges that God searches him and knows him. It is a psalm of praise, awe, and even submission. In the last couple of verses of 139, David uses similar language. “Search me, God, and know my heart.” Notice the shift from acknowledgement to a request for more. David asks God to search him – examine him – and to lead him. There is now more than acknowledgement and submission to authority – there is cooperation and a desire to be searched, known, and led. David embraces God’s perspective and power as he makes a huge step from wonder to willingness.
”Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Psalm 139:23-34
We can respond to suffering and grief in love.
It may seem out of place to expect a response of love in the midst of our own suffering, but this is the power of God and His Word. Not that we will avoid it all, but that we are transformed as we respond to that suffering and grief by filling our hearts and minds with the knowledge of Him. When we submit our thoughts and feelings to God in faith – He can move us to action through that faith. And what does that action look like? It always looks like love.
“The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”
Galatians 5:6b
My friend, my prayer for you today is that you will treasure all of this up in your heart and ponder God’s great love for you. -and may you respond in love today.
by wendy | Sep 18, 2020 | Encouragement For Your Heart, Uncategorized
Jerry and I have recently enjoyed following the culture of “Bus life” – a nomadic group of people that live and work on the road, moving throughout the country. Even those who are seasoned travelers are finding this particular year to be challenging. Many of those we watch are currently exploring the Pacific Northwest and the current wildfires are just the latest of circumstances that are changing the course they planned.
“It seems re-routing is what buslife is all about this year.”
– NumberJuanBus, Instagram
Life is full of twists and turns and the need to make constant decisions. Re-routing is often necessary even when we are not on the road. Many of life’s decisions can be made without huge consequences, while others can change the course of our lives. How then can we even know where to begin?
“Every time you make a choice you are turning the central part of you, the part of you that chooses, into something a little different than it was before.“
-CS Lewis, Mere Christianity
Scripture gives us lots of directions about how to seek direction. Here are some suggestions when you find yourself re-routing and unsure of where to begin:
1. Pray
– asking for God’s wisdom should always be the first step!
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
James 1:5
2. Seek wise council
– talking with others who have knowledge and experience can help us discern the right way.
“Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.”
Proverbs 15:22
3. Plan
– take time to think through the wisdom and advice and create a strategy.
“For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?“
Luke 14:28
4. Move toward the goal
– a plan is of no use without putting it into action!
“Arise, for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it.“
Ezra 10:4
5. Let go!
– trust God with all of it.
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday Sun.”
Psalm 37:4-6
6. Allow God to guide
– seek His direction constantly and be alert for His guidance.
“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!“
1 Chronicles 16:11
7. Adjust as directed
– be willing to shift and pivot as the Holy Spirit moves you.
“The LORD says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.’”
Psalm 32:8
8. Be thankful in all things
– even when it doesn’t go according to plan – believe that God has the best for you.
“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.“
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Read this well-known verse today and strive to apply it to any decisions you must make.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
