Someone In Your Corner

This is an edited entry from Pastor Paul Chappell’s “Daily in the Word”. I am thankful to the Lord Jesus that I know some encouragers. I know others that for the most part are discouragers. Sad! What would you want to have? And what do you want to be?

“But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he
shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the
land which thou shalt see.” Deuteronomy 3:28

Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you…
Encourage me, and I will not forget you.—W.A.Ward

CBS News anchor Dan Rather admits he was always fascinated by the sport
of boxing, even though he was never good at it. “In boxing you’re on your own;
there’s no place to hide,” he says. “At the end of the match only one boxer has
his hand up. That’s it. He has no one to credit or to blame except himself.” Dan,
who boxed in high school, says his coach’s greatest goal was to teach his boxers
that they absolutely, positively, without question, had to be “get up” fighters.
“If you’re in a ring just once in your life—completely on your own—and you get
knocked down but you get back up again, it’s a never-to-be-forgotten experience.
Your sense of achievement is distinct and unique. And sometimes the only thing
making you get up is someone in your corner yelling.”

We all need someone in our corner “cheering us on” in life, because we all face
tough times. Some are right now facing unfair situations. Someone falsely accused
accused them at work or are being threatened with legal action over something they
didn’t do or family keeps disappointing them. Everyone faces injustices yet we can
just focus on our small problems when others are dealing with far bigger situations.

The word encourage has been defined as “to give courage to.” When others are
fearful of the future or uncertain of what to do, God desires that we would put
courage in their hearts by encouraging them, by cheering them on in their corner.

Think about the times you’ve had difficulties or felt apprehension. Was there
someone who encouraged you to keep going? Think of what a difference they
made in your life. You might not be where you are today without them! Everyone
needs an encourager. Everyone needs someone to give them an encouraging word,
through a simple phone call, a note or card to say you prayed for them, or an
encouraging Bible verse. Anything can be encouraging when you take time to show
you love & care. Who could use some today? Who is going through a difficult time
or facing a problem? Take time today to encourage! You never know when your
word of encouragement will make a difference. Determine today to be that someone
who stands in the corner, encouraging people through the ups and downs of life.