Canceling out the Negative

Is it not strange how one person can be so down at one point but something you do or something you say immediately changes the way they think and they are instantly brought to a point in which they experience a high. It is a thing called encouragement and I know that encouragement is something that gets me through just about everyday. It does not necessarily come from other people but it comes from God and what he his doing through me. However, there are times when we need to encourage others because they just do not know what to do and they just want a sense of hope. Sometimes all they are clinging to is the hope that someone will bring them hope and that is a dangerous place to let people fall to. Then there are other times when people get discouraged because of others who tear them down and tell them they are not good enough or they just yell at them because they screwed up. This is when someone needs to step in and say "hey. do not worry about it, you will get it next time." or "Learn from what you did and do not make the same mistake next time, you will get it done." We do not know exactly how much our words of encouragement affect other people but there are times when you can see a change in them and sometimes they do tell you that you have had a profound impact on their situation and other times even their life. This world spends so much time telling us that we have an equal opportunity to do something but when it comes down to it, it is only an equal opportunity to do things their way, any other way is not valid and should be disregarded by ALL. Pretty much, some of us are told that we are not good enough and that our work is not appreciated because we left out one minor detail but we still did the job right and got it done. We are not robots and we do not have to conform based on what people tell us and we feel the only way to regain that hope and be happy again is just to accept what we are told and beat ourselves up. Think for yourself and let yourself (guided by God) dictate who you become and how you get there. Yes, we do have to follow procedure but we can also learn and think on a higher level than we are expected. Everything has to be dumbed down and there is no room for innovation if you do not do it right. This causes people to become discouraged and when you have a support group that can sympathize with you and who is willing to back you, then you know that you are doing what you are supposed to. Quite simply, do not ever let anyone tell you that you cannot do anything because there are ways to do it (usually) but some people are too stubborn to allow for change. 

We see in Hebrews 10:24 that encouragement is encouraged when it states, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." Do not let someone go through life being down on themselves all the time, consider how they can be helped and put it into action. Sometimes just being there for a friend when they need someone to talk to is enough to encourage them and if they ask for advice, make sure you give them God given advice and help them through their rough time as God guides you. Sit down and talk to someone who seems like they have been having a rough day and just let them know that you notice them and that you care about how they feel. It is the little things that can be most rewarding for us who can help. Take time to consider what you can do. Another thing that can be done if you are close enough to a person is to give them a hug. Hugs can be so comforting and they are one of the best ways to show that you care and want to help. Hugs are heartwarming and they provide a sense of security for someone who is unsure about what is going on. We do not have to wait for people to be happy to talk to them, especially if we have God on our side. God tells us that he will meet us where we are at and he is with us no matter how tough things get. If one of your friends just lost a friend or a family member, they might not want to talk but just send them a card or leave a message to show that you care but do it because you want to, not because you feel obligated. Some people are able to tell when you are doing stuff out of pity and they do not want that, they want someone who genuinely cares and will encourage them throughout their tough time. 

The same holds true for Christians, do not always point out what people are doing wrong if they know they are doing wrong. Build them up and encourage them to change and let them know that they can get through it. Trust me, I know that when I have been caught in sin, it is not that I do not want out, it is that I feel that I am better off there because I have let Satan get ahold and he is telling me I am already in so why not just stay a while? Knowing that one can overcome is one of the best things to hear and it is reassurance that we can make the change and we can be happy. Like I said, it just takes one person to make a difference and who is that person going to be? Are you going to wait for someone else to come along like in the story about the good samaritan? Someone is crying out to you to notice them and you pass them every day because you are too busy or selfish to notice (myself included).

Hope you all have a great day and you continue to seek him. Do not let up and go 100%. I am praying continually for all of you.

God Bless,

Joseph Robinson

P.S. I just found a new song by Kutless called "I Do Not Belong" I think it is a powerful song and it depicts exactly what God has showed me over the past few months and where I am going. I think it is encouragement for Christians and Non-Christians alike. Here is the song and the lyrics,

"I look around and I feel like, thing's changed and I don't know why

And everyday that passes by I feel so far away
I can see in the distance, You have the rest of me
I put my trust in you, as I look beyond today
It's all becoming clear. 

I do not belong in a world of broken pieces
I was meant to be in the arms of Your redemption
I am moving on to the place of Your perfection
Cause I do not belong 

When the world is behind me on the day that I breathe my last
In the face of enternity there's hope cause' I believe
When I look to the heavens and the future that you hold
It makes it easier to see beyond today
Now I'm looking to the sky 

I do not belong in a world of broken pieces
I was meant to be in the arms of Your redemption
I am moving on to the place of Your perfection
Cause I do not belong 

This world is not my home
I'm a stranger in this land
But I am not alone
When I do not belong: 

I do not belong in a world of broken pieces
I was meant to be in the arms of Your redemption
I am moving on to the place of Your perfection
Cause I do not belong
No, I do not belong
I do not belong"