“And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” I Samuel 30:6

I woke up this morning heavily discouraged. As I drove home from dropping the children off at school, I pondered who I could call for a word of encouragement.  The sad thing was, I didn’t even want anyone else’s encouragement, I just wanted God to move on my behalf.  I just wanted Him to answer my concerns.

I just wanted Him. That is when I realized that it was time to encourage myself. I, like David in the above passage, was greatly distressed. One thing I had to admit about my discouragement though, in order to receive the fullness of the joy of the Lord; I had caused it myself!