Refreshed

Discouragement blanketed itself around me. Thick and heavy.

I couldn’t put my finger on it precisely, but I had a general idea of the source.

A struggle that has followed me for over a decade now, and frankly, one I’d like to be done with. But no matter my feelings, the solution never seems anywhere in sight.

And so I keep blindly walking by faith.

“God, I need you to encourage me.” I whispered a half-hearted prayer, feeling guilty for seeking constant affirmation. But I knew it that encouragement from Him was the only kind that would truly satisfy. And I believed He would meet that request.

I just wasn’t entirely sure how.  

But if encouragement was something I desired, I wasn’t the only person longing for it. I began to think of others who are laboring for God’s kingdom. Who are doing their best to live out the call He has placed on their lives. Who are using their gifts to infuse hope and glorify God. Who may be feeling the same strain and struggle as me.

A particular name came to mind.

A woman I’ve never met in person but know through mutual friends.

I wrestled with the idea of sending her a message of encouragement. Would that be weird? Would it even be encouraging? How would she receive it? Did she even need it?

But I did it anyway. Typed out a late-night message before turning out the light, and when I closed my eyes, my spirit was refreshed.

I dropped my girls off a school this morning and a friend waited for me in the hall. Wrapping one another in hug, she thanked me for writing a recent post that touched her heart. Words God used to speak exactly what she needed.

And that, that was precisely what I needed. She didn’t know that.

But God did.

It was the direct answer to my prayer. Simple. Unexpected. Powerful.

“Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25

I don’t know what it is you need today, but want to encourage you to ask God and then act until it arrives. Look for opportunities to refresh others as you are awaiting to be refreshed.

Like me, I think you’ll discover that in the acting, you will receive. And as you intentionally bestow refreshment upon another, you will be the one who is blessed.