A Post to Encourage

In today's article I thought that it's about time that I cover the topic of encouragement for my readers. I believe this study to be important because millions of people live with depression and it's not God's will for this to be so. Let's jump right into it shall we?  

Encouraging verses about God

In Jos 1:9 we have God telling Joshua to not be afraid and that he would be with him wherever he went. This is true for Christians today in that God hasn't given us the spirit of fear (2Tim 1:7) and he promised to never leave or forsake us (Mat 28:20, Heb 13:5). As christian's we should remember that those that fear haven't been made perfect in love (1 Joh 4:18).

Another great thing about God is that nothing is too hard for him (Jer 32:27, Luk 1:37), that means we can be confident that the Lord can help us when we are in trouble. In fact God has been referred to a strong hold in the day of trouble (Nah 1:7). If we delight in him he will give us the desires of our heart (Psa 37:4).

One great bible verse that we as believers should be excited about is 1Co 2:9, it shows us that we can't even conceive the wonderful things that God has prepared for his servants.

See also: Psa 16:8, Psa 27, Isa 40:31, Jer 29:11, Hab 3:19, 1Pe 1:3

Do You Have a Low Body Image?

There are alot of people today that have a low body image, and this is one reason why so many are depressed. Yes, it's true that there are many shallow people out there who would judge us based on our appearance, God however doesn't see us this way (1Sa 16:7).

The bible teaches us that every man in his best state is altogether vanity (Psa 39:5), and that beauty is vain (Pro 31:30). This is because of the second law of thermodynamics which tells us that things wear down over time. This is demonstrated by 2Co 4:18 which shows us that the things that we can see are only temporary. As Christians we should be making it a priority to focus on our spiritual growth and walk with the Lord instead of obsessing with our looks. After all it's God's word that lasts, not our looks (Isa 40:6-8, 1 Pet 1:24-25). This is further reiterated in 1 Joh 2:17 which shows that the world and it's lust will pass away but those that do God's will abide forever.

Worrying about the Past

There are some people out there who may have alot of regrets about what they have done in the past. Does the bible have anything to say about this kind of thought process? Actually, it does. In Ecc 7:10 we find out that we shouldn't ask why the present isn't as good as the past. Have you ever heard the saying "Remember the good ol' days?" Isn't this implying that the days you have now are not good? As Christians we need to be thankful for the present as well as the past.

In Php 3:13-15 we see that the Apostle Paul wasn't obsessing over the things of the past but instead focused on the things ahead. We as believers need to take Paul's example in this and focus on what we can do in the present to please the Lord and concentrate on laying up treasures in heaven (Mat 6:19-20, 1Co 3:10-15).

See also: Isa 43:18

What about Trials, Tribulations, Persecution, etc 

If someone told you that being a Christian meant that you wouldn't have anymore hardships in your life, somebody was lying. Being a Christian doesn't mean that we won't go through tough times now and then but that God will be there to see you through them.

The bible teaches us to be joyful in the day of prosperity but to consider on the day of adversity (Ecc 7:14). The bible tells us that the true followers of Christ will not be popular with the world. In fact Jesus tells us that we are blessed when we are persecuted for righteousness sake (Mat 5:10 -12).

  

We learn in the book of Romans to glory in tribulations because they work patience (Rom 5:3).  Furthermore in 2 Co 12:9 -10 we see that we should glory in infirmities and take pleasure in things like persecution, necessities, etc for Christ's sake. For it is shown to us that the Lord's strength is made perfect in weakness.

Need I remind the reader that Jesus instructed his followers to deny themselves and pick up their crosses (Mat 10:38, Mat 16:24, Mar 8:34, Luk 9:23, Luk 14:27). The reason I bring this up is so that the reader doesn't feel alone when suffering tough times, for the scripture tells us that we aren't just to believe but to suffer for him as well (Php 1:29). It's not as bad as it sounds though because unlike the wicked who have no peace (Isa 48:22, Isa 57:21), God comforts us in our tribulations (2Co 1:4-9).

As I am sure that you are well aware, it isn't that Christians don't face temptations. It's just that as born again believers we endure temptations to show that we Love the Lord (1Pe 1:6 -9, Jas 1:12).

  

See also: Rom 8:18, 2 Co 6:4 -10, 1 Pe 4:12 -14

Being Thankful, Content, Rejoice, etc

We live in a culture today's that so focused on acquiring more and more stuff that we some times may forget that we need to be grateful for what we have. The bible teaches us to be thankful for everything (Eph 5:20, 1 Th 5:18). We understand why this is when we read Rom 8:28 because it tells us that God works everything together for our good.

Depression cannot be a part of the Christian mindset for the bible tells us to rejoice evermore (1Th 5:16). Of course Christians have free will and don't always do what God wills. The book of Phillipians chapter 4 contains many things that can encourage us. In it we learn that we can do all things through Christ, to rejoice in the Lord alway, to be content in whatever state that we are in, and to think on things that are pure, lovely, just, etc (Php 4:4 -13).

Perhaps one of the most comforting Chapters of scriptures is Psa 23. Another passage in the bible that I particularly enjoy is Psa 68:19 which shows that the Lord daily loads us with benefits.

See also: Ecc 3:12  -14

Concerning the Guilt of Sin

Perhaps you are feeling down over a certain sin that you have committed. While Christians should feel bad when they sin we should be taking it to God in prayer and asking him for forgiveness for that sin (1 Jn 1:9). It was Jesus who took the punishment for our sins (Isa 53:4-5) so once we confess and forsake them we shouldn't have to carry around that burden of guilt anymore.

See also: 1Jn 1:7   

Verses about the Word, truth, etc 

If you want to know how to be blessed you should take a look at Psa 1:1-3, in it we see that those that are blessed delight in the law of the Lord and meditate therein day and night. Mat 13:22 reminds us to not be the type of ground that brings up thorns, that is to not let the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word and thus make us unfruitful. As Christians we should always be grateful that the Lord has revealed unto us the truth which has set us free (Joh 8:32).

See also:  Psa 119:9 -11, Isa 55:11 -12

Other Verses to Encourage the Reader

As bible believing Christians we shouldn't fret because of evil doers or be envious of the workers of iniquity (Psa 37:1). We should rather pity them because a man reaps what he sows (Rom 2:6-10, Gal 6:8).    

The bible also teaches us that the poor in spirit are blessed and that it is better to go into the house of mourning rather than the house of feasting, sorrow after all is better than laughter (Ecc 7:2-3, Mat 5:3). This is because godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation (2 Co 7:10).

It was Jesus who instructed those that labor and who were heaven laden to come unto him and that he would give them rest. He further more told them that his yoke is easy and his burden is light (Mat 11:28 -30).   

  

We as Christians shouldn't go around having a troubled attitude because Jesus gave his followers peace, he also told them not to let their heart be troubled (Joh 14:1, Joh 14:27, Joh 16:33). As we Grow in the Lord we need to learn to trust him with all our heart (Pro 3:5 -7); this is because whatsoever is not of faith is sin (Rom 14:23). When we trust in God we are walking by faith and not by sight (2 Co 5:7). 

One way that we know that we are saved is by examining ourselves to see if we have the fruits of the Spirit which is love, Joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance (Gal 5:22-23).   

  

One great thing about being a Christian is that we do not have to fear death anymore; the apostle Paul tells us in Philippians that for him to live is Christ and to die is gain (Gal 2:20, Php 1:21-24). We shouldn't be anxious over things because scripture tells us to cast our cares on him because he cares for us (1Pe 5:7).   

See also: Job 27:6, Ecc 3:1, Mat 7:7, Luk 10:19, 1Co 15:58,
Eph 4:27, Heb 12:1

So in conclusion we see that the bible has the answer for whatever in life that you are going through. If we trust in God and follow him we have nothing to fear because if God is for us who can be against us (Rom 8:31-39).