David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him… But David felt strengthened and encouraged in the Lord his God. 1 Samuel 30:6 (AMP)
Did you know that encouraging yourself influences those around you?
1 Samuel chapter 30 provides an example of the power of encouraging yourself in God and its effect on others. David and his men had just returned home to discover their homes had been destroyed by the Amalekites. Their wives, children and all their possessions had been taken. David and his men “wept until they were too exhausted to weep [any longer]”. They were devastated! Their distress quickly turned to blame, and they turned on David.
When we’re discouraged, it’s easy to make poor choices and say or do hurtful things. Remember God doesn’t want us to stay discouraged.
In the midst of this discouragement, notice what David did. While in distress, surrounded by despair, with no one else to encourage him, David found strength and encouragement in God.
In fact, David not only strengthened himself in the Lord, but his encouragement started sweeping through the camp. His entire military rallied again, and in the end they successfully recovered everything and everyone. David’s encouragement in God spread beyond himself to influence the hearts of six hundred warring men who went from broken and discouraged to following their leader to victory!
Billy Graham once said, “Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.” David would definitely agree! The way we lead influences everyone around us. You don’t have to give into discouragement.
Find encouragement in Christ, and watch how your influence spreads!