Time to Self-Encourage By Babatunde Olugboji

In Samuel 1: 30, we read about how the Amalekites raided David’s camp in Ziklag. 

David was part of Saul’s leadership but had fallen out with the king, who wanted to kill him, so he and his army sought refuge with the Philistines and the Philistines gave them a place to stay in Ziklag. 

And at some point the enemies invaded Ziklag, taking away the children and the women and burned down the whole place. David’s men were so upset that they turned against him and thought of stoning him. It was at this point that David decided to encourage himself in the Lord. (1 Samuel 30:6)

The challenge you are currently facing may be as difficult as the one David faced, but this shouldn’t be an excuse to throw in the towel, to look for whom to blame. Apportioning blame is akin to embracing Saul’s spirit, a spirit that seeks to deflect criticism. 

When things are not working well, it is a time of self-encouragement. If David didn’t encourage himself,  his situation could have quickly spiraled out of control. His men would probably have hurt him. But he had a conversation with himself: I have nobody to encourage me, it is between encouraging myself and laying down to die.

When you are at an inflection point, if you don’t encourage yourself, you may end up quitting and labelling yourself a failure. Sometimes you have to stand before a mirror and stare at yourself and say, I will make it, I will not quit, even though I am hurting, lonely, broke, distressed, and depressed. Nevertheless, I will press forward because I have God by my side.

In reality, encouraging yourself means having the courage to tap into the power of the Holy Spirit when everything appears to be going against you. 

This week, take encouragement from God’s declaration to Joshua: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (Joshua 1:9) 

The courage you need to be effective must come from within. As Jesus said…rivers of living water will flow from within them. (John 7:38) If encouragement doesn’t come from the outside, if it doesn’t come from your friends, or even your Pastor, it has to come from the inside.

Encouragement simply means having the courage to see yourself in Christ as bigger than your issues. It involves being confident of God’s ability in you. 

David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. God can’t do this for you, your friend can’t do it for you,  you will have to do it for yourself. Stop waiting on God, you have to make a move.

You need to declare to yourself: 

I am blessed and highly favored, I am created in the image of Almighty God the maker of heaven and earth. There is no way I will allow this situation to take me down. 

I will encourage myself and say it like Apostle Paul said: I have this light shining in my heart, even though I am like a fragile clay jar containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that my great power is from God, not from myself. (2 Corinthians 4:7)

Will you encourage yourself this week?

Have a great week.

Kingdom Dynamics, a weekly column written by Dr. Babatunde Olugboji, the President, Kingdom House, a non-profit organization in New Jersey, USA.

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