Encouragement Thread

[Xemp]

2scoops;

Now that you mentioned it, I guess you are right... God have already done a lot of things, starting for saving me for free. I guess my problem is that I simplily can't get enough.
It's because there is so much things that must happen, that I can't believe that someday life will be nice... A person like me, that is a "walking depression" have a lot of problems with pessimism.

Thank you for your posting. It's nice to see people like you trying to help our brothers.

God bless you

 

[2scoops]

Leave Your Past Behind



God said, “My plans for you are good and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

God is trying to do something new in your life right now. He wants to restore to you what the enemy has stolen. He knew you would have setbacks in you life. God knew that people wouldn’t always be fair. He knew that there would be times of abuse and pain in your life.

But I want to encourage you today and let you know that God has something better in store for you. So don’t let the enemy keep you focused on past disappointments, failures and mistakes.

God doesn’t care where you’ve been, as much as He cares about where you’re going!

The Bible says, that “if we confess our sins, He is faithful to FORGIVE us.”

You don’t have to pay God back for your past sins, mistakes and failures. That’s what grace is all about. It’s a free gift. You are free to receive God’s mercy and forgiveness. We are free to quit remembering what God has already forgotten. Do you believe it? King David did! He speaks for all of us in Psalm 103 when he says, “God will remember our sins no more, forever.”

The Apostle Paul agreed with him when he says, “There is no condemnation when you’re in Christ Jesus.” So don’t spend one more day focusing on the past, that’s the work of the enemy.

Make a decision today to stay focused on God and the abundant life He has promised you.

Friend, God is on your side. He wants good for you, not evil! God knows your hurts and pains better than anyone. He wants you to rise out of those ashes as a champion! The great prophet Isaiah put it this way, “God wants to give us beauty for our ashes.” (Isaiah 61:3)

Ashes represent what’s left over after everything’s been burned up. They represent our broken dreams, our disappointments, our hurts, our pains, and even our personal failures.

Still God promises to give us beauty for our ashes. But an exchange has to take place. You can’t hold on to the ashes and have something beautiful at the same time!

You’ve got to lay aside the ashes and accept the beauty. Accept God’s promise that “you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.”

Accept that God makes us the head and not the tail, to lend and not borrow. He desires for us to be the VICTORS and not the victims!

Listen to what God says, “Arise from the depression in which the circumstances have kept you. Rise to a new life.” (Isaiah 60:1)

Today, make the conscious decision that by God’s grace you’re going to let go of the past. Receive the new thing that God wants to do in your life today.

And when you face disappointment in life, just hold your head up high knowing that God is still a good God and desires good things for your life. I know that God still has a great plan for your life, a plan that only you can experience. A plan to prosper you in every area of life.

 

[2scoops]

2scoops;

Now that you mentioned it, I guess you are right... God have already done a lot of things, starting for saving me for free. I guess my problem is that I simplily can't get enough.
It's because there is so much things that must happen, that I can't believe that someday life will be nice... A person like me, that is a "walking depression" have a lot of problems with pessimism.

Thank you for your posting. It's nice to see people like you trying to help our brothers.

God bless you

Xemp, my mother was very pessimistic. she always thought the worst would happen. I learned that from my mother. I was programmed to think I was helpless and that the worst would happen. If we hold that view in life, then eventually our fears will become reality. If we read scripture, then we get courage and strength through the word. God gave us that so that we would not have to fear. God gaves us His Son, so that we do not have to bear out burdens, He will bear them because His yoke is easy and his burden is light. Right now, God is showing me to lean on Him, to give everything to Him, and I mean everything.

When we say things will never get better, I have to live this way or that way, those are lies. lies from the father of lies, Satan wants us depressed, worried, fearful. Remember God did not give us the spirit of fear, but of POWER, and of LOVE, and of a SOUND MIND.

 

[2scoops]

Facing Failure

What tests are you going through right now? Is your life a mess? Do you feel like a victim? Nobody’s life is a chain of unbroken victories. The best of champions fail—sometimes frequently. We all make mistakes.

Learning how to handle failure is one of the most important life skills we can learn. The only difference between successful people and failures is learning how to turn every failure into a learning experience—a stepping stone to future success.

Your test can become your testimony; your mess your life’s message. It is possible to move from victim to a victor; from being overcome to an over-comer. One of the best pieces of advice I ever received when going through the hardest time of my life was “When you’re going through hell, don’t stop!”

Although the reasons for failure are numerous some of the most common causes are:

Not planning ahead. If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. Remember Noah had to start building the ark long before it stared to rain.

Thinking we have “arrived.” In other words, the man who gets too big for his britches will be exposed in the end. One common denominator of successful people in all walks of life is that they never stop learning, growing, and trying new things.

Fear of taking risks. I believe fear of failure to be one of the leading causes of failure. We are so worried about what others might think of us if we fail that often we don not even try. Remember where the fruit is…out on the limb.

Quitting too soon. I believe it is always too soon to quit. Failure is never final. The current chapter of your life does not have to be the final chapter. What looks like your tombstone may be a stepping stone to something bigger and better. Remember, an oak tree is simply a little nut that refused to give up its ground.

Whether or not these are the causes of the failures currently plaguing you, learn from your experiences. At least you now know what does not work! Thomas Edison said, “Don’t call it a failure. Call it an education.”

Failure has its benefits. It shows us what does not work and can lead us to be more creative. Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor for lack of ideas, and he went bankrupt several times before he built Disneyland!

Sometimes failure forces us to reevaluate our lives. It can help us keep things in proper perspective. Proverbs 20:30 notes, “sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways” (TEV).

To become successful start accepting responsibility. Successful people don’t waste time blaming others. Be quick to share the credit and accept the blame. In 1974 after an 88 game winning streak, UCLA basketball lost to Notre Dame in a game they had led by 11 points. The next day headlines read, “Coach Wooden says, ‘Blame Me!”’ John Wooden was a winner.

Start focusing on the future. Do you know what you can do about your past? Absolutely nothing – except perhaps learn from it. Do not let the past spoil the present and pollute the future.

Keep pressing on!

 

[2scoops]

Once upon a time, two brothers who lived on adjoining
> farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious
> rift in 40 years of farming side-by-side, sharing
> machinery and trading labor and goods as needed
> without a hitch.
>
> Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with
> a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major
> difference and finally, it exploded into an exchange
> of bitter words followed by weeks of silence. One
> morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it
> to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. "I'm looking
> for a few days' work," he said.
>
> "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and
> there I could help with? Could I help you?" "Yes,"
> said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look
> across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor. In
> fact, it's my younger brother!
>
> Last week there was a meadow between us. He recently
> took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is
> a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to
> spite me, but I'll do him one better. See that pile of
> lumber by the barn? I want you to build me a fence an
> 8-foot fence - so I won't need to see his place or his
> face anymore."
>
> The carpenter said, "I think I understand the
> situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger
> and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."
>
> The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the
> carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off
> for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day --
> measuring, sawing and nailing. About sunset when the
> farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his
> job. The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped.
> There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge... a
> bridge that stretched from one side of the creek to
> the other! A fine piece of work, handrails and all!
> And the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming
> toward them, his hand outstretched... "You are quite a
> fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and
> done." The two brothers stood at each end of the
> bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each
> other's hand.
>
> They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox
> onto his shoulder. No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a
> lot of other projects for you," said the older
> brother. "I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said,
> but I have many more bridges to build.

__________________
They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
They will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.
- Isaiah 61:4

 

[2scoops]

The Dash

by Linda Ellis
copyright LindasLyrics.com.
used with permission



I read of a reverend who stood to speak

at the funeral of his friend.

He referred to the date

on her tombstone

from the beginning... to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the date with tears
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth, and
now only those who loved her know
what that little line is worth.

For it matters not how much we own;
the cars, the house, the cash.
What matters is how we live and loved
and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard,
Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
You could be at "dash mid-range"

If we could just slow down enough
to consider what's true and real,
and always try to understand
the way other people feel, and
be less quick to anger,
show appreciation more
and love the people in our life like
we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
more often wear a smile
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is being read
with your life's actions to rehash...
would you be pleased with the things they say
about how you spent YOUR DASH?

 

[2scoops]

As you got up this morning, I watched you, and hoped you would talk to me, even if it was just a few words, asking my opinion or thanking me for something good that happened in your life yesterday. But I noticed you were too busy, trying to find the right outfit to wear.

When you ran around the house getting ready, I knew there would be few minutes for you to stop and say hello, but you were to busy. At one point you had to wait fifteen minutes with nothing to do except sit in a chair. Then I saw you spring to your feet. I thought you wanted to talk to me but you ran to the phone and called a friend to get the latest gossip instead. I watched patiently all day long. With all our activities I guess you were too
busy to say anything to me.

I noticed that before lunch you looked around, maybe you felt embarrassed to talk to me, that is why you didn't bow your head. You glanced three or four tables over and you noticed some of your friends talking to me briefly before they ate, but you didn't. That's okay. There is still more time left, and I hope that you will talk to me yet.

You went home and it seems as if you had lots of things to do. After few of them were done, you turned on the TV. I don't know if you like TV or not, just about anything goes there and you spend a lot of time each day in front of it not thinking about anything, just enjoying the show. I waited patiently again as you watched the TV and ate your meal, but again you didn't talk to me.

Bedtime I guess you felt too tired. After you said goodnight to your family you plopped into bed and fell asleep in no time. That's okay because you may not realize that I am always there for you. I've got patience, more than you will ever know. I even want to teach you how to be patient with others as well.

I love you so much that I wait everyday for a nod, prayer or thought, or a thankful part of your heart. It is hard to have a one-sided conversation.

Well, you are getting up once again. Once again I will wait, with nothing but love for you. Hoping that today you will give me some time. Have a nice day!

Your friend,
GOD

 

[2scoops]

The Quilt

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.

Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles. An Angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.

But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in everyday life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.

I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.

My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.

Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose, each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise.

My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and death, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.

I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.

Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes.

He said, "Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you."

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through.

 

[inHisgripkim]

The Lord And I Went Running Again

I had posted in the "Depression" board of this forum yesterday. I wrote of the depression - this lowly and empty feeling I experience when I first wake up in the morning. Once I am up and moving, the lowly, empty feeling goes away and my sight is on the Lord. I spend the rest of the day contented.

IYesterday evening I decided to say a morning prayer and greet the Lord when I first open my eyes from slumber. That's exactly what I did this morning. It worked. It put my focus immediately on the Lord where it belongs. I was able to bounce out of bed and rejoice over this new day the Lord has made.

I went running today. For the past several years I had been running about 3 miles 3x a week. As of November, the running stopped. I just started back up today and what an awesome experience I had being outdoors in God's creation. I have missed my running more than I had thought for. I have been missing this kind of communing with Jesus with the praise and worship music singing in my ears and Jesus running at my side. I imagine Him running with me often. I love it because His spirit arises and shines when I put Him at my side.

I heard through my headphones: "Let your spirit rise within me. You set my feet a dancing and my heart rejoicing and my mouth singing out your praise. Go forth in the name of the Lord . . . . "

It's amazing how rejuvenating it is to get exercise and do it with the Lord. I can't think of a better way to strengthen His temple.

When I stopped to cool down, I stood underneath a large pine tree across the street from my church. My church has a white cross that rises in the sky and stands bold amongst the clouds of the sky. I always pray here and I did. I thought of the the three Sparrows God had sent me and I knew He probably wouldn't send me anymore. I started feeling a little a bit sad. As soon as I started feeling this sadness I heard a high pitched chirping. I looked up and saw a yellow breasted finch above me. I felt, then, that God heard me and felt my sadness and sent me His message that He is still looking out for me. I have never seen a yellow finch other than in the pet store. It seems God speaks to me through His little birds.

I remember sitting outside of my sister's house on the porch when a hummingbird hovered near my head for several minutes. That was an incredible experience. It's this same porch that I read about Hezekiah cleaning Solomon's Temple when God sent me my third Sparrow.

The more I seek the Lord, the more I find God speaks to me. We have an awesome God.

I love you Jesus. I love you God. Thank you for Jesus. Thank you Jesus for the gift of life, love, and healing.

In your name Jesus, I pray with all my heart, soul, and mind. Amen.

 

[jess144]

Here is a psalm that seems to speak to those of us who experience depression:

"O Lord, hear my prayer,
listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and
righteousness
come to my relief.
Do not bring your servant into
judgement,
for no one living is righteous
before you.
The enemy pursues me,
he crushes me to the ground;
he makes me dwell in darkness
like those long dead.
So my spirit grows faint within me;
my heart within me is dismayed.
I spread out my hands to you;
my soul thirsts for you
like a parched land.
Answer me quickly, O Lord;
my spirit fails,
Do not hide your face from me
or I willbe like those who go down
to the pit.
Let the morning bring me word of
your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
Rescue me from my enemies,
O Lord,
for I hide myself in you.
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.
For your name's sake, O Lord,
preserve my life;
in your righteousness, bring me
out of trouble.
In your unfailing love, silence my
enemies;
destroy all my foes,
for I am your servant.
Psalm 143

God bless you my friends!