Choose Encouragement

“Misery loves company.” I don’t know the origin of this statement, but it is true. When we get discouraged, downhearted, or depressed, we often don’t want to be around a bunch of cheerful people, always talking about how good life is and how good God is, and how they are just excited about life. We would rather not hear these things, so when we get around people that are “Too chipper” for our current state of mind we tend to do all we can to “Bring them back down to reality.” We promptly, either by words, actions, silence, and/or body language relay the message. “You need to know how bad, discouraging, and dark life is.” The fact is that when we are in this state of mind, we need to CHOOSE Encouragement. Allow others to speak the truth of God into our lives. We need to make the conscience choice to be around those who are merry in their heart. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 15:13 – “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” We are also told in Proverbs 17:22 – “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” The fact is, when we are personally discouraged, we need to choose to be around those who can and will encourage us. It is good for us. It is like medicine. It may not taste good at first, but the end result is well worth it.

         If you are not in the same place as described above, then count yourself blessed and don’t let the gloom and doom of the discouraged keep you from sharing the goodness of God. They need you to be an encouragement. Much like medicine, it takes different doses for different people. In other words, it may be possible to be so merry it is an overdose for the discouraged, downhearted, and depressed. When you find your friend is in one of these places, go to the Great Physician, pray, and ask Him for wisdom on how much medicine is needed, and how much of a listening ear is needed. Either way, today CHOOSE ENCOURAGEMENT.