The Art of Encouraging Ourselves

Walk into any bookstore, and you’ll find shelves filled with self-help books written by motivational experts. Human beings need continual encouragement and motivation, so these titles continue to be popular. When someone complained to Zig Ziglar, a well-known motivational expert, that motivation doesn’t last, Ziglar replied, “Neither does bathing. That’s why it’s recommended every day.”

Ziglar was right. Human beings do need habitual encouragement and motivation. Outside encouragement is beneficial when you can get it. But what happens when it’s in short supply? Can we become people who encourage ourselves?

In 1 Samuel 30, we find King David in the middle of a full-blown disaster. He and his troops returned from fighting to find their village had been burned, their possessions ransacked, and worst of all—their wives and children had been kidnapped by the Amalekites. David’s troops were so angry they spoke of stoning him (1 Sam. 30:6). If there ever was a time when David needed strength and encouragement, it was now—but he was surrounded by people who were contemplating killing him—this crowd wasn’t going to be offering him any encouragement. The text says:

“David was in an extremely difficult position because the troops talked about stoning him, for they were all very bitter over the loss of their sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God (1 Samuel 30:6). The KJV says, “David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.”

What does it mean to “encourage yourself in the LORD?” If you read the Psalms, you’ll notice that David didn’t wait to be encouraged by other people—he was constantly encouraging himself. In Psalm 31:3-4, we see David pleading with God for protection, and he prayed:

For you are my rock and my fortress;
you lead and guide me
for your name’s sake.
 You will free me from the net
that is secretly set for me,
for you are my refuge (Psa. 31:3-4).

Notice how David’s words are both a prayer and a declaration. David mentally rehearsed what he knew to be true while simultaneously asking for God’s continued provision. Rather than imagining worst-case scenarios and making a mental list of everything wrong, King David made a habit of mentally rehearsing what is true and calling to mind ways God had been faithful to him. And in doing so, he encouraged himself in the Lord. It’s a practice that can become part of our daily rhythm when we wake in the morning and throughout the day. And it can be done in moments of impending disaster. Speaking of disasters, King David and his men not only retrieved their possession from the Amalekites but more importantly, they also got their wives and children back unharmed (1 Sam. 30:19).

So, what would it look like for us to be people who encouraged ourselves in the Lord? Rather than making a mental list of everything going wrong—intentionally rehearse what you know to be true about God. Remind yourself of ways He’s come through for you in the past. Memorize Scriptures and repeat them often—say them aloud when you can. Make a mental checklist of everything you are thankful for and note how God is blessing you. Choose to focus on what is going right instead of dwelling on what’s wrong. Outside encouragement is great when we can get it, but we have the tools to encourage ourselves—and we get to choose what we focus on. Let’s choose to encourage ourselves.