“And David was greatly distressed… but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” 1 Samuel 30:6 KJV

“DAD-GUM-IT! There it is AGAIN!” I don’t know about you, but I HATE hearing those ‘D’ prefixes ‘De’ and ‘Dis’! Though they can show up in a visual way, like when paired up with the word cover… Discovery or ‘Delight.’ most often they do damage when stealthily connecting to a feeling, producing an unwelcome, negative mood. As in ‘Discouragement’ or ‘Despair’ for an example.

When I think ‘Courage,’ I think of a mighty warrior like figure standing tall and brave against a larger, ominous foe. In my mind’s eye, the warrior has a look on his face that says, “bring it on!” With a steely glint in the eye, the warrior shows resolve and determination to defeat whatever has come to meet and stop progress. When ‘D’ shows, discouragement and despair change the mood!

Because of my vocation, I get LOTS of varying information from people. Yesterday I was absolutely over the moon when I received a picture of our niece and nephew with a brand new baby! Such JOY! Later, I was notified that an elderly, dear friend was not physically well, possibly needing to go to the hospital. Dis-couragement was knocking at the door. But then, I received a friend’s text.

Always driving between 0 and 120 mph in my life, it is easy to get worn down. But my boss does not WANT me to be worn down. He wants me filled with joy and peace! That said, He gives me His Word to read, and fellow Jesus people to encourage me along the journey through life. Suddenly, along the way, He asks me to become an encourager to the discouraged! Life is like a windshield wiper!

I read in the Word that David, when in a distressed time, ‘encouraged himself in The LORD his God.’ Which makes me smile. Because that means if there is no one around, I don’t have the excuse of staying discouraged when I have Jesus. Soon, the Text I received from a friend made me smile with his encouraging words. That incident reminded me that, in Christ ‘I’ have that super power too!

Are YOU encouraged? Will you plan on helping or making someone else’s day by being an encourager for Jesus? Doing just that will make you a Super-Hero in someone’s eyes. Even God’s!