Encouragment

I am still doing my Bible study on encouragement. This is something the Lord really does want us to do for each other. I know this because I have read verse after verse that is talking about this. He doesn't just want us to encourage people in our circle or those that we like. This verse is out of the message. I Thessalonians 5:14 Our counsel is that your warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to their individual needs. Sometimes for me personally it is easier for me to encourage my friends than those people that I don't particularly like.

Speaking of exhausted, the Lord gave me a little encouragement last night. Titus slept in his bassinet all night and he even slept for about 4 hours one time. Thank you Lord. I was beginning to think I may never feel rested again.

Now back to the subject of encouraging those around us. Here is a quote from Barbara Johnson "When the flood waters of the cesspool have come up to your very soul, you don't need challenges; you need comfort. You need a friend to come alongside and say, "I am hurting with you... I am standing with you... I am weeping with you. I am undergirding you as best I can. Link your shield of faith with mine and somehow we will make it together." A few months ago in my life I needed that friend. Something happened that I needed to be able to go to someone and say I am hurting and I need someone to cry with. Jesus provided that person and I am so thankful she was there. Oh how I want to be that type of person that someone can come to and let me be the shoulder for them to cry on. So that we can link our shields of faith together and lean on each other to get through any situation. So I am volunteering to be an ear for anyone that might need it, to be the encouragement that someone might be needing.

Lets all go about our days looking for ways to encourage all those around us.