King David went through some terrible trials. One one occasion, he and his army came home from a battle to find their city destroyed. The place had been plundered and their families had been taken captive.
Reacting to the devastation, even his most loyal followers pointed the finger and blamed him for their loss. David was distraught.
How do you react?
We all go through awful experiences in life. Maybe not exactly like this. But how do you react when confusion or calamity come? Let’s look at what David did…
“David was greatly distressed, for the men spoke of stoning him because the souls of them all were bitterly grieved, each man for his sons and daughters. But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” 1 Samuel 30:6
David built himself up. He encouraged himself. How do we encourage ourselves? The same way we encourage others: we speak words of hope and faith. Just like David, we need to strengthen ourselves by declaring the Word.
Talk to yourself
Occasionally when I am really struggling, I imagine that someone has come to see me with my issues and I ask myself, “What would you say?” Then I do my best to follow the wisdom God would give me for them! We need to learn to talk to ourselves.
“She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and firm.” Proverbs 31:17 (Amplified)
The Proverbs 31 woman girded herself. To gird means to wrap something around you. We gird ourselves with strength by wrapping God’s Word around our hearts and minds.
Rehearse the truth
We remind ourselves of His promises and speak them over our lives. That is the first step to strength. Deborah was another leader who spoke to herself in order to build up strength in the heat of battle:
“Oh my soul, march on in strength!” Judges 5:21b
The soul refers to our mind, will and emotions. Put simply, it is what we think, feel and want.
Deborah was telling her thoughts and feelings to be strong. She was telling herself to be like a soldier: immune to ups and downs and focused on fulfilling the mission.
It’s worth the weirdness!
The first time you speak to yourself it might feel strange. However, with practice, it will become your norm. Tell your mind what to think and then speak out words of encouragement.
We talk to our cars or computers when they won’t work (some of us may even kick them!). Let’s start speaking to our souls when they are weak or weary.
If you want to grow in strength and freedom, I encourage you to read 30 Day Detox for your Soul. It’s got a day dedicated to strength. And come along to Healed for Life. Until you come, you will never understand the depth of what God could do.
