Encourage Me: Anything and Everything

“Do not worry about anything. Talk to God about everything. Thank him for what you have. Ask him for what you need.” (Philippians 4:6, New Testament WE)

In today’s world, stress is as common as breathing. It can’t be escaped. There is a person that I know very well that can get stressed by her many duties as a women. It’s a mystery to me how my wife (since November 1993) accomplishes all that she does. As a favor to her, Bobbi has requested that I go back to the basics (old school) on this post in ENCOURAGE ME.

That means that I will write as I did when I began this blog in 2014. What you are about to read is simply the scripture and my opinion without someone else’s commentary to hide behind as an advice blogger. That’s a double yikes!! (No matter how hard you look at the bottom of this post. You will not find a “sources used” section. Please note that my comment will follow each scripture.

1. “The attitude that comes from selfishness leads to death, but the attitude that comes from the Spirit leads to life and peace.” (Romans 8:6, CEB) If you’re stressed out, what is your mind focused on?

2. “Let the Lord lead you and trust him to help.” (Psalm 37:5, CEV) Who do you trust to get you life’s stressors?

3. “Be careful. Hold firmly to your faith. Have courage and be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13, ERV) When life’s stresses (big and small) threaten to knock you down, how will you stand strong?

4. “But those who trust in the Lord for help will find their strength renewed. They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak.” (Isaiah 40:31, GNT) Do you want to fly above your stresses like an airborne eagle, or get stuck in it all because you didn’t trust God? Does this remind you of a flightless, pecking ostrich? You know what to do. What will your choice be?

5. “We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan.” (Romans 8:28, VOICE) How can your Heavenly Father turn your stressors into something spectacular?

6. “We are like clay jars in which this treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us. We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don’t know what to do, we never give up.In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again.” (2 Corinthians 4:7-9, CEV) If you feel like you need some spiritual power, make sure you are plugged in to the right energy source.

7. “Turn your worries over to the Lord. He will keep you going. He will never let godly people be shaken.” (Psalm 55:22, NIRV) Is your relationship with the Almighty on solid ground or shaking because of life’s stressors? Does God want you to be victorious or have a breakdown? You decide.

8. “Come to me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, ERV) Aren’t you exhausted by all your stress? Your Heavenly Father wants you to rest safely in His arms.

9. ^“Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete, and wanting nothing.” (James 1:2-4, VOICE) There is a purpose and plan behind your stressors.

10. “I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn’t like the peace that this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid.” (John 14: 28, CEV) You can choose lasting Heavenly peace handle life’s pressures, or you can be foolish enough to do it all on your own. (Try being your own Wonder Woman or Superman, and see how far your own strength will get you emotionally.)

11. “Whenever I am anxious and worried, You comfort me and make me glad.” (Psalm 94:19, GNT) If your Heavenly Father already knows what’s stressing you out, wouldn’t it also make sense that He knows exactly how to comfort you?

“On days when I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I put my trust. I will not fear what mortal man can do to me.” (Psalm 56:3-4, ISV)