Become your own cheerleader

Do you ever get discouraged? Be a cheerleader for someone.

Having a bad day? A cheerful attitude is contagious. Discouragement is a chief weapon of the enemy, leading to apathy, insensitivity, bitterness and resentment.

I like to read about David in the Old Testament. Pursued by insurmountable odds, he persisted in his faith, taking courage in meeting life’s challenges. David’s own men wanted to kill him, “But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God” (1 Samuel 30:6).

David became his own cheerleader.

I’m thrilled about stories of faith such as Joseph’s statement to his brothers: “You meant to hurt me, but God turned your evil into good to save the lives of many people, which is being done” (Genesis 50:20 NCV).

I admire Esther’s faith when she agreed to put her life on the line for her people when she said, “If I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16 KJV).

These great heroes all encouraged and cheered on themselves in the Lord. You and I can too. Remember all the hard places the Lord has brought you through. God will do it again. The future of the child of God is always, “The best is yet to be.”

We do have problems in life’s journey but they are just a reminder that God is faithful. Cheerleaders believe, “I can do all things through Christ, because he gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13 NCV).

Looking on the bright side dispels discouragement. The one who gets up after being knocked down is the real winner. Even in the hard places, there’s hope. “With God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

Face each trial with hope and faith in your heart. Be a carrier of the “Good News.” If there is no conflict, there is no conqueror. Read about encouragement in Hebrews 12:1: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (NIV)

I can almost hear these heavenly cheerleaders shouting as we run toward the finish line. To me, they seem to say, “Go! Go! Go! Give it all you’ve got. Heaven is worth it all.”

We win. I’ve read the last page of the book, and Jesus is our all in all.

He is rest for the restless, victory for defeat, peace for unrest, faith for the fearful, refuge for the lonely, triumph for the trials, overcomer for the challenged, conqueror for the lowly, strength for the weak, restoration for the lost, encouragement for the fainthearted, mercy for the humble, grace for the sinner, forgiveness for the offender, life for the lifeless, victory over death, delight for despair, gladness for sadness, love for the unloved, righteousness for unrighteousness, wholeness for brokenness, stability for chaos, abundance for the deprived, deliverance for depression, honor for the humble, courage for the conflict, bravery for cowardice, health for the unhealthy and comfort for confusion.

Now if that isn’t enough to be a cheerleader for God, as I heard a preacher say one time, “Your wood is wet.”

I have been called “God’s Cheerleader.” That is a compliment for me. I want to tell the “Good News” and shout it from the rooftops. I’ll hold a sign that says, “Jesus loves you!”