The Great Encourager

God is everywhere.  God is in everything.  And even though you may not see Him, know He is there.  I don’t have to look very far for the proof either.  I want to say ever since last Friday I have known God is in all things, but that is probably the first time I really recognized His presence up close and personal.  I know that He has been working in my life for some time now.  We don’t always see what’s going on, but know His plan is always in action.

Last night I saw God again…..this time in the form of a policeman.  Not personally, but through the experiences of my cousin.  She was going through a little bit of a tough time yesterday.  She is involved in the same business that I am and had made a post on social media about some products.  She got a response from someone telling her that the products they use are better.  She texted me, discouraged, saying that this is why she didn’t try harder.  That everyone is always so negative to her.  I told her that people do what people will do, and you know your results and that you know the truth.  I’m not sure if she felt better, but she decided to go for a walk.

This is when it happened.  I later saw her post on social media detailing the story of her encounter….an encounter with a random person, on a random night, on a random street, who I believe was sent to her while she was down.  While on her walk, a policeman rolled up next to her.  I’m not sure the exact details of the conversation, but it came up that he used the same products that she does and that he loves them.  He gave her encouragement, told her to keep going and never quit.  He rode next to her to the end of her street.

So in her moment of need, God put an Encourager in her path.  You can’t tell me that any of that is coincidence.  That police officer was pulled to that street….at that time.  And my cousin was pulled to that street….at that time.  God is always there.  God is always putting encouragement in your path, if you will just open up your heart long enough to see it.

I think I used to probably be a pretty negative person.  These days I don’t have time for that.  I have been blessed in too many ways to even count anymore.  So I spend my days trying to encourage others, trying to help others see the greatness they have in themselves.  And I don’t do it for my own gratification, but I pray everyday for God to allow me to somehow bless others the way that I have been blessed.  Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you are doing (1 Thessalonians 5:11.)”

I think sometimes its hard to encourage and to make others feel better…to help them.  Often all we can think about are our own problems…..how are we gonna get out of this situation?  Why me God, when are you gonna fix all of this?  But as Paul told the Thessalonians, it is one of our duties to love and encourage others as we go through life.  “Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you; and may the Lord cause you in increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His Saints (Thessalonians 3:11-13.)”

So I say….encourage others when they are down, share your spirit for the good.  Find people who you can help through their troubles.  Find a way to leave this place better off than it was when you first arrived.  That policeman had no idea what my cousin had gone through that day.  He was just at work, driving along, and stumbled across a girl walking in the dark.  He encouraged her and touched her life in the EXACT moment she needed it the most.  Don’t think, for one second, that your act of kindness to someone just happened to occur when it did.  God pulled you to that spot and at that time.

So I will leave you today with this message that Paul told the Galatians, “The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.  Do not be deceived, God is not mocked;  for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.  For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.  Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.  So then, while we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith (Galatians 6:6-10.)”

I pray that you find someone to encourage today.  Be on the lookout for someone in need.  Help them.  Even if it is just saying hello and smiling.  You have no idea what that person may be looking for.  I pray that you find the encouragement you need when you are in your valley.  I pray that “random policeman” finds you in the midst of your storm.