How to Stay Encouraged in a Discouraging World

There is a silent fear that many of us have when heading out the door. I hope my car starts. I hope the bus is on time. I hope that I beat the train. I was rushing to get to church one Sunday and I put my key in the ignition, my car started but then it happened. It shut off! I started it again, and it just shut off. Oh great! Another thing to add to my list of hiccups called ‘life.’

Life can be very discouraging sometimes. But that doesn’t mean as Christians we have to be discouraged along with it. When you first except Christ, your eyes are opened to God’s grace and your need for Him. As our walk grows, we realize that we’re not free from experiencing the struggles of life. The question is, who are you going to turn to and what are you going to do when facing these difficulties? Will you be encouraged in the faith or quit when life’s terrain isn’t so easy?

 

You can turn on the news, stand at the pump, look at the unemployment rate and know that things are very discouraging. We can even think about our own situations and it can bring about discouragement. If we’re not careful, it can also bring about depression. But how can we, believers of Jesus Christ, be encouraged, stay encouraged and encourage others? Here are some ways that I believe are crucial to being and staying encouraged.

Prayer

Prayer is crucial to the Christian walk. It is how we communicate with the Father. The Bible even talks about praying without ceasing (1st Thess. 5:17). We should be encouraged when we can go to the Father to tell Him our needs and our hurts, and know that He is listening and He cares (Psalm 10:17). Another encouragement through prayer, is the fact that you know that others are praying for you. It shows that you are not alone. Having the ability to pray for someone else is encouraging as well, as you put aside yourself, in lieu of someone else’s needs.

Get connected with a solid community

The Body of Believers. It is one of the most, if not THE most important thing in your Christian walk. The first thing that I was told to do when I went to college was to find a solid church and community. The community of believers are a great asset to staying encouraged in a discouraging  world. They keep you accountable, ask you questions, pray for you, challenge you, but most of all encourage you.

Hebrews 10: 24-25   ’24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.’

Hebrews 3:13 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.’

I know first hand of how impactful a solid community is. I have always been encouraged by their stories and ability to trust in the Lord. I know that I will always have a group of individuals that I can call and talk with. I can build with them, ask for prayer and even godly counsel. That is an encouragement within itself. If we’re not surrounded by solid believers it’s harder to grow in the Lord.

Read your Bible/ Meditate on the word

It’s kind of simple really. Read your Word.

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Prince Malachi is the founder of The Oracle Network and the Streetwear brand Y.A.H. Apparel

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