God-Sized Dreams: A 30-Day Journey of Faith and CourageSample

When You Need Encouragement

I’m chatting with a couple of wise friends on the phone. They ask me what I’m struggling with most at this point in my journey. I think for a moment and then respond, “I just want someone to tell me every day that I’m doing a good job, that I’m on the right track.”

I share about when I worked at a corporate job, I had an amazing boss who would give me feedback and affirm that I was heading in a positive direction. Sometimes I really miss that voice in my life.

When you’re a God-sized dreamer, one of the hardest parts is that you’re trailblazing in the kingdom. That means there often isn’t anyone to say, “I’ve been exactly where you are—keep at it.” Yes, we are to find others to encourage us. And we’re to have mentors and peers who can offer wisdom and insight because they’ve gone through similar things.

But there will come a time when you’ve heard the truth God wants to whisper to your heart, others have spoken into your life, and it’s time for one more person on the list to encourage you too: and that’s you.

It can sound odd to talk about encouraging or loving yourself—it can even feel arrogant. But we’re not talking about bragging or smiling in the mirror and saying, “Hey, you’re something really special.” What encouraging ourselves means is reminding our hearts of what we already know to be true.

David “encouraged himself in the Lord his God” after facing an incredibly difficult situation (1 Samuel 30:6 NIV). Even those closest to him were too upset to help him out. He had to bring to mind what he knew about God and what his faith could enable him to do. As a result, he led the people to a great victory.

I don’t know about you, but I’m my own worst critic. I can encourage other people all day long, but I wrestle with having a different standard for myself. Michele-Lyn shares a similar struggle on her blog, A Life Surrendered:

"Do you ever wake up in the morning and it seems like a rogue wave of discouragement was waiting for you so it can knock you down? A wave of discouragement that sweeps you off your feet and shrouds you in darkness that presses in all around before you ever saw it coming? In confusion, you try to get back to your feet, and wonder what hit you? I have a choice to make. We all do in this place. We run and hide and give up, or we can encourage our own soul."

When I read Michele-Lyn’s words, I wanted to stand up and cheer because I felt like someone else understood the battle I faced within. And I imagine you do too.

On the journey to our God-sized dreams, we will have many people by our side who will help get us through. Yet there is one person who must be on your side too—and that’s you.

When you choose to be on your own side, then you are standing with God because he is for you. He has told you what is true, and it’s okay to remind yourself of that as often as you need to, especially as you pursue your God-sized dream.

We’re called to love God, others, and ourselves, too.

Go Deeper

Read Mark 12:28-33 as a reminder of how we're called to love God, each other, and ourselves.

God, it can seem much easier to encourage others than to do the same with myself. Thank you for the truth you’ve spoken to me about who I am and what you’ve called me to do. Help me to remind myself of what’s true, especially when I feel alone. You are on my side, and so I want to be too. Amen.

What’s one truth you want to remember?

What’s the next small step you’ll take?