I really love to encourage people. I want to write encouraging words and I want to feel encouraged. Unfortunately my pain has increased and I’m living in the realm of the discouraged.

If you’ve lived with chronic pain I’m sure you can relate.

Today I thought I’d take a look at these two words and their common root word and see if God can shed some light on how to get from one to the other.

Curiously, my search of the words led me to see the synonyms of encourage and discourage: hearten and dishearten, respectively. I may quiver at the thought of having courage, but somehow feeling my heart is under attack makes me want to fight back. I searched further into scriptures and saw there, the term take heart, as a means to deal with feelings of discouragement.

What does this mean and how do we do it?

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

John 16:33 (NLT)

Jesus knew that hard times were ahead for the disciples. In this scripture He is being boldly truthful with them. In this way, giving them courage in preparation for the trials and sorrows they would face, with the understanding that nothing falls outside of His supremacy, sovereignty, and dominion. Having this understanding allowed the disciples to have peace as they navigated through the many troubles they confronted, their faith unwavering.

My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them.

Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Proverbs 4:20-23 (NLT)

I like this next translation:

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

Proverbs 4:23 (ESV)

There is security in Christ and in His word. He offers us security and victory as we trust in Him.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

As I remember who He is, I am encouraged and I can endure, having peace that He has overcome every imaginable struggle I could possibly go through. The victory is there and God will lead me to it.

May you find your courage, in who Jesus is, to face your trials with peace, knowing He holds you in His hand.

Grace & Peace,

Sandy

Image by Iván Tamás from Pixabay