Even if you are fortunate enough to have someone in your life that is a reliable source of encouragement for you learn to encourage yourself.  This is not to say that you should not welcome encouragement from others.  Neither does it mean that you should not seek encouragement from others when it is necessary.  For example, if you’re trying to lose weight you might join a weight loss group for support or encouragement.

This is to say that as adults shouldn’t we avoid primarily and/or solely depending on other fallible beings as our source of encouragement?  Wouldn’t this be best, as it would minimize the possibility of us being sourly, sorely, and regularly disappointed, if not unnecessarily devastated, by another’s ineptness or unwillingness to properly supply us with the encouragement we need, when we need it?  Also, isn’t God supposed to be sufficient in supplying our every need?[1]

If God is sufficient for all of our needs, why then do we often first refer to and/or solely rely on the writing, preaching, teaching or advice of our pastor, preacher, minister, bishop, spiritual guru, spouse … when we need encouragement?  Should not we always seek assistance from (the) God (within) first and foremost for all of the encouragement, guidance, and strength we need to overcome our impediments; to conquer and banish our internal and external enemies; and to make it sanely, safely, and successfully through the vicissitudes of life?  Then afterwards, if need be, we can turn to others for support.

Shouldn’t God be our first resort, and in many cases our only resort, for encouragement?  After all, God won’t judge us as others might, because He understands us like none other.  He also loves us more than we could ever fathom, more than all the people we know combined, and much, much more than we are capable of loving ourselves.  Ergo, He knows best how to encourage us in any and every situation.

When we seek encouragement, support or backup from the Most High first, He may inspire and direct us to do a certain thing that to us may seem insignificant, illogical, unnecessary, unreasonable or paradoxical.  We may think His way is not the best way we could be encouraged.[2] However, if we are obedient to His prompting(s) He will position us in the perfect place, to receive the perfect encouragement we need, from the person or people we are to receive the encouragement from, and at the perfect time we are to be encouraged.

In other instances He may dispatch someone immediately and directly to our aid.  Often times when this happens the encouragement comes from whence we least expect it.  Many times it comes unexpected.  Yet other times it comes exactly as we prayed for and expected.

Regardless of how, when or where we receive our encouragement or through whom we receive our encouragement we need only be clear about one thing: Our encouragement came from the Lord.[3] Not only that, but during our waiting period we need to remember that His support or encouragement is never late nor lacking.  In fact, He’s always on time.  Moreover, when He does render His support it is usually more than we could have thought to ask Him for.[4]

So never become dependent on others to encourage you.  ALWAYS be clear about from whence your best encouragement comes.  It comes from your Source, your Sustainer, the Lord who made Heaven and Earth.

Love, Healing, Blessings, and Peace!

Your Holistic Encourager

(Thank you for your valuable time.  I hope this writing has encouraged you in some way.  If so, please encourage others with it by forwarding them the website address using one of the social networking buttons on the menu to your right.  Feel free to use the PayPal Donation Button to make a donation of any amount in support of my efforts to offer holistic encouragement.  Also, remember to visit my financially encouraging blog at: http://ChangeForDollars.info.)

© 2010 This article is copyrighted.  Please do not reproduce this article in any way or in any form without obtaining the written permission of Tair Ta’ir, H.H.B.M., and BE! of the 144,000 Publishing.

[2] Isaiah 55:8

[3] Psalm 121:1

[4] Ephesians 3:20