The enemy has a strategy, and it’s devastatingly simple.
If he can get us discouraged, he can get us disappointed. If he can get us disappointed, he can get us distracted. If he can get us distracted, he can get us divided. If he can get us divided, he can get us disillusioned. And if he can get us disillusioned, we may start detaching from the vine.
It’s a cascading failure that starts with one thing: discouragement.
We need encouragement! Not as a nice addition to our spiritual lives, but as a critical defense against an enemy who knows exactly where to strike.
Understand Your Identity First
Some of us were raised in painful circumstances where affirmation and encouragement were withheld. Others might have been raised in environments where encouragement and affirmation were only given if we could do something, make something, or produce something.
Because of those painful circumstances, we may unnecessarily go hunting for encouragement and affirmation in all the wrong places. And we may often withhold the words that speak life.
As humans, we have a deep longing to be desired, to be affirmed, and the need to be encouraged. If you’re like me, there may have even been times this week that you did or said something simply waiting for somebody to encourage or affirm you.
Let me say this: regardless of your biology, regardless of the environment you grew up in, you are a son or a daughter of the Most High God. You are His! Even though you may have the capacity as a leader to produce great things, innovate new ideas, lead organizations, or produce quarterly results, your identity is not based on what you do. It’s based on who God is and how He sees you as a son or daughter. And He can’t hide His affections.
Before Jesus ever did a thing, or performed a miracle, or said something profound, His Father encouraged His identity.
The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God’s Spirit—it looked like a dove—descending and landing on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: “This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life.”
Three Areas Where We Can All Find Real Encouragement
1: God’s Presence
“Better is one day in your house than a thousand elsewhere.”
Do we really believe that? How much time do we spend in the presence of the Lord? How much intentionality is there in just being with God?
Like you, I’ve experienced moments in the presence of God that have changed my entire trajectory. Why don’t I spend more time there?
“Jesus often withdrew to lonely places.” Why? To be in the presence of His Father! Not to receive a to-do list, not to plan the next steps. Just to be. To be in communion. To be in intimacy. To abide. To be in relationship. To be nourished, refreshed, and fueled by deep companionship. Fruit doesn’t come by willpower. It comes by being attached to the vine.
There is encouragement in God’s presence. Strengthen yourself in the Lord. Linger there, crawling up into everlasting arms, and let Him sing His songs of joy over you .
2: God’s Promises
Let me share three snippets from God’s promises:
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
“I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.” (Psalm 34:4-5, 8)
When you read those promises, what happens? Does your perspective shift? Does the constant cycle of negativity that often fills our world, start to melt away? When the promises of God are louder than the predictions of the world, your heart is strengthened, encouraged, and re-oriented towards truth. Turn down the passing fads and tune into the ever-lasting promises. Encourage yourself in the promises.
3: God’s People
We need each other. Period. It’s how we were designed.
In Romans 14:19-20, Paul tells us, “So let’s agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Help others with encouraging words.”
When you have met the Lord in the secret place and are overflowing with His promises, your words are healing balm to those around you. And when you humble yourself before the Lord and walk with the wise, you can receive the helpful words of encouragement that come from the community of faith. You give and receive.
Again in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Paul writes, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.”
Do you see someone torn down by the struggles of life? Use your words to rebuild, restore, and re-strengthen those around you. Life and death is in the power of the tongue. Speak life!
But the Bible doesn’t stop there. It goes on to tell us the frequency with which we need to encourage each other. In Hebrews 3:13 it says, “But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception.”
Daily. Not weekly. Not when we feel like it. Daily.
An encouraging word is like apples of gold in settings of silver. When you see someone hardened by life, set a table of encouragement before them, and feast together.
The Questions That Matters
Ask yourself:
- When’s the last time I spent meaningful time in these three areas?
- When did you last sit in God’s presence—not to get something, but just to be with Him?
- When did you last open His Word and let His promises wash over your discouragement?
- When did you last both give and receive encouragement from God’s people?
The enemy’s strategy is simple, but so is our defense: stay connected to the vine through God’s presence, God’s promises, and God’s people.
Your sonship/daughterhood doesn’t depend on your performance. It depends on your Father. And He’s already said everything you need to hear.