Encourage Yourself!

I am thrilled that my first book, Go Forward: 28 Days to Eat, Move, and Enjoy Life God's Way, will be out later in December.  (When I have the exact date, I'll let you know.)  It is a 28 devotional guide on what the Bible says about health. 

Over the next few weeks, I'll share a few excerpts for you to enjoy ... and help you fulfill your potential.  Here is a bit from Day 3: Encourage Yourself.

David was greatly distressed, for the men spoke of stoning him because the souls of them all were bitterly grieved, each man for his sons and daughters. But David encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord his God.  1 Samuel 30:6 (AMP)

What an amazing and challenging story!  David and his men have just come back from battle; these warriors are exhausted and hungry (never a good combination).  They are ready to see their families, yet arrive home to find their loved ones gone and their houses destroyed.  David, in the middle of his own grief, also finds out his men are ready to kill him!  In his trouble what does David do?  Hide?  Run away?  No.  He encourages himself in the Lord.

By God’s grace, may we never face the level of distress that David and his men experienced.  But from how David handled his trials we can glean a lesson for our own struggles. 

As much as I wish it weren’t so, I need to warn you that as you begin a new healthy lifestyle, there will be challenging days (sometimes weeks).  Many factors can make choosing healthy habits difficult.  People.  Family.  Work.  Crises.  Familiar habit triggers.  Life.  To help combat tough moments, it is critical that you know ahead of time what …

• Encourages you
• Helps you to stick to your new habits
• Gets you back on track if you take a side step, which everyone does.

Your Challenge:  Make a list of what encourages you in other areas of life.  How can you apply that list to sticking with your new habits?

For illustration, if listening to praise songs helps you, decide on a go-to song; when you recognize discouragement, start singing that song.  If a particular book lifts you up, stash a copy at your desk and by your bed.  If certain scriptures, quotes, or affirmations inspire you in tough times, write them on cards and keep them with you.  You don’t have to wait until discouragement attacks.  You can sing and meditate now to stay ahead of the tough days.