Encouragement
By: Susan Schiller
On the days when I feel lost, stuck, and broken I tend to look outward for encouragement, strength, and consolation. Futilely, I open social media, only to get lost even deeper still. So many voices. Sometimes it's so noisy out there in the world.
I enter the Silence.
I take a walk in the darkness. It blazes, bright with moonlight. All of the sudden I remember that the BEST ENCOURAGEMENT is within my own soul. There's a voice within who sings so purely and shines so radiantly that how could I overlook her wisdom by turning to strangers, or even friends, for a dip in the waters of life?
Holy Spirit, I welcome you!
I am a well, a deep well. Every year I finish a journal of the gentle, pure voice I hear from deep inside. These days, when I feel lost, stuck, and broken I trust Holy Spirit to put my finger on just the right journal, opening to any old page.
I did that just now, in fact. In my journal, I have written:
"In business, we promote our workers by looking at their strengths, abilities, degrees, and all kinds of things we might use to build our fortune. In ministry, we tend to do the exact same thing! Diastrous consequences arise from this practice.
I quote from Brennan Manning:
… There is a further pressing question, one proper to the priesthood, if not uniquely proper to it: Is this man WEAK enough to be a priest? Let me spell out what I mean. Is this man deficient enough so that he can't ward off significant suffering from his life, so that he lives with a certain amount of failure, so that he feels what it is to be an average man? …
'It is in this deficiency, in this interior lack, in this WEAKNESS, maintains the book of Hebrews, that the efficacy of the ministry and priesthood of Christ lies. For because he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who have been tempted… He can deal gently with the wayward and the ignorant, since h himself is beset with weakness.
Ah, yes, I have received this encouragement from Brennan's words, but it was the act of writing this passage down, long ago in ages past, that deepened the well in my heart. God led me to Brennan and His words have become part of my soul.
And so I've dipped my cup in the waters of life once again. I breathe in deeply. I exhale, being reminded that hidden behind my greatest weaknesses is my greatest strength.
So often I complain about my weaknesses and I feel lost when I compare myself to others. How about you? Who is your best encourager? What hidden strengths do you feel are hidden behind your weaknesses? I'd love to hear, really!
Today, I have joined hundreds of other writers in a simple 5-minute writing prompt, using the word "encouragement".
Do you create art? It's your turn now! Join us, please. We welcome your words 🙂
Choosing love today,
Sue
Susan Schiller knows how it feels to lose everything: marriage and family, church and reputation, finances and businesses, and more. Susan's upcoming, interactive memoir, "On the Way Home," tells the story of how she came to be known as "the most abused woman" her counselors had yet met and how she learned to navigate her way out of hell to a rich and satisfying life. In her lifetime, Susan has served in duties ranging from home school mom – to pastor – to full-time deliverance minister – and to Midwest regional prayer coordinator for a large international ministry. These days you can usually find Susan soaking in her favorite hot springs pool, reading a book (or several), blogging, baking bread, or hanging out with her family and friends. You can get a free copy of Susan's upcoming book, "On the Way Home" by registering here.
Copyright 2012, Susan Schiller, http://TeamFamilyOnline.com. Permission is granted to copy, forward, or distribute this article for non-commercial use only, as long as this copyright byline and bio, in totality, is maintained in all duplications, copies, and link references. For reprint permission for any commercial use, in any form of media, please contact Susan Schiller.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
You inspired me to write mine today! Thank you!
I loved reading yours, Jennifer – I felt the breeze of Holy Spirit’s presence and the courage your words imparted – THANKS, brave heart!
I'm not as prolific as you, Susan – so I'll simply say that your words are very heartfelt. Eydie 🙂
I’m glad your heart was touched, Eydie – know you are loved very much!
You make me think…that I need to look deep inside of me for my own encouragement and not continue to wait for others to offer it…Thank you
Oh yes, Paula… we cannot be dependent on other people’s praise – it’s so fickle! Up one day and down another, we live roller coaster rides and it’s no fun after awhile! Bless you, dear heart!
Thanks for sharing. I think I find my best encouragement in those quiet moments, after I've completely fallen apart, when I know I have to put myself back together. I've never examined it closely, mostly because I don't want to break it. So far it's worked, I don't want it not to work the next time I need it.
Oh yes, yes, yes, Casi … I feel the same! It’s especially after the moments are feeling totally undone, cut to pieces, that God loves us best. Don’t be afraid – you’re not jinxed-Â go for it!
This is such a gift to future-you and to your kids:
I am a well, a deep well. Every year I finish a journal of the gentle, pure voice I hear from deep inside. These days, when I feel lost, stuck, and broken I trust Holy Spirit to put my finger on just the right journal, opening to any old page.
I love that so much and I need to do more of this. I hear that sweet, strong whisper in me too. And I want to collect the words.
-Nicole
You are beautiful, Nicole…. your heart is a treasury of all good things. Do you journal? I love your desire to “collect the words” of that “sweet, strong whisper” in you. Thanks so much for sharing with me today!
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