It’s Time to Encourage Yourself
2 Cor 10:5-6
5. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; KJV
God created us as social creatures, and we need to be connected to other people. We need healthy relationships with ourselves, as much as we need food and water, so friendship isn’t just a luxury afforded only to the fortunate few. It’s an integral part of the human experience. We make connections in three concentric circles. The target outer circle would be labeled Perception – perception happens at the first point of engagement. People don’t have to know us to form a perception of us. Often, some of the people we meet will categorize us based on what they’ve heard about us or their first impression of us, and there’s not much we can do to change that initial perception. Our reputation often speaks to it, and people interpret that in whatever way they choose.
But people’s impression of us then leads to the middle circle, Image – that’s the circle we create along with people’s perception of us. If we think people expect us to be incredible, extraordinary, super-hero’s – like people with perfect families and money and no problems, then we create that character to validate the image. Now we often live under the enormous pressure of keeping up that image based on who we think people think we are. That’s why we need to see social media as a double-edged sword. We live in an image-conscience world, and the social media space is perfect for displaying images – real or manipulated.
As a people we can spend an inordinate amount of time posting “perfect” pictures on social media, but those pictures don’t contain the substance of who we really are. This is why the Apostle Paul speaks of casting down imaginations, when our carefully curated images are shattered, people will see that behind the scenes of social media posts and all the photos there are regular people who are experiencing brokenness, pain and struggles. But when those images are removed, who are you? This brings us to the smallest and most intimate circle of the three; Integrity – integrity, or the lack thereof, is who we are when no one else is looking. People who engage us on perception or image alone can’t truly know us, and those relationships you made won’t last long or at best, will be fairly superficial.
But for those people who make it into that small circle, they will see who you really are. Those are the people that will comfort you in your loneliest hours and will be there for your future. We sometimes neglect our own needs. The idea of selflessness is a commendable attribute, however, it is ill-advised when it is at the expense of self-care and contributes to the loss of your own well-being. We are not the faint of heart.
Matt 22:14
14. For many are called, but few are chosen. KJV
Loneliness is written for the chosen few who are willing to be transparent in an effort to shed light on the reality of people and eradicate misconceptions about you. We all have struggles at some point in our lives we get exhausted and become frustrated.
1 Sam 30:6
6. And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. KJV
Jude 20
20. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, KJV
But this is what makes us effective; our ability to have empathy allows us to have compassion rather than condemnation and that helps us to steward others through the highs and lows of their life. Though we are not immune to the same challenges of others, being in sync with God’s will and plans for your life will give you insight and discernment so you can choose wisely those persons who will be closest to your heart. Like-minded people are those who understand us and have the capacity to strengthen us and help provide us with safe spaces in which we can be transparent, open and free especially when we want a sense of normalcy and need a break from the daily grind of life. These people allow us to relax and be our authentic selves. Once you surrender your super hero cape, you will be able to prioritize some things in your life.
You must learn to build yourself up. There are times when it’s difficult to rally others around you to nudge you, encourage you to keep going and cheer you on. But don’t despair those are the times when you will have to dig deep within yourself for your own encouragement. You are not the only person who finds yourself alone and in need of encouragement. Every person will someday come to this place, but if you can encourage yourself in the Lord you can move forward with your life. It’s difficult at times to show your humanity and ask for help because we think it will reveal our weakness or show who we are. But if we create a culture of compassion around us it will provide us a safe space to ask for what we need. You may be surprised by how more accessible you can be to those you show your humanity to instead of pretending to be this super human. If there is anything that adversity teaches you is that you are not a super hero, but indeed a human. Adversity levels the playing field and leaves you with fewer places to hide, but most importantly, it proves your needs to be true to yourself and others. True transformation is not about being perfect nor is it about pretending to be something you are not; it is about putting the effort towards being our best selves and bringing that effort forward every day. It’s time to embrace God’s grace for your life, Paul wrote of this thorn in his flesh, some unnamed hindrance he had, but he believed he would be better off if the Lord removed it, but the Lord said, in II Corinthians 12:9 that He gives you the grace and the capacity to deal with your own pressures. If you trust Him, if you’re honest and transparent about your weaknesses, you’ll discover His strength gives you the grace for your life to deal with anything.
Apostle James E. Morrow
