by Desiree Bustamante.

Encouragement Doesn’t Come Easily.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

A couple of buffaloes were grazing on the prairie when they saw some cowboys, on horseback, checking the range for stray cattle to round up.  One was strumming on a guitar while singing, “O give me a home where the buffalo roam, and the deer and the antelope play. Where seldom is heard ….”.  The cowboys rode up to the buffalo and said, “Look at you!  You are the ugliest creatures I’ve ever seen. Your fur is matted, you have humps on your back, and you are dusty and mangy. Have you ever seen such a sorrowful, pitiful, sight?”.  “Nope!”, the other cowboy replied, “They must be the ugliest critters under God’s heaven.”.  As the cowboys rode off into the sunset, one buffalo turned to the other and said, “I think I just heard a discouraging word.”.

We hear a lot of discouraging words every day. Some are directed at us, and some at those people we care about. Whether it comes from the news, social media, co-workers, or even friends…there are too many to count.

We all know what it’s like to be discouraged. We live through difficult times, and it’s easy to become discouraged in our world.

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 New Living Translation

These empowering words of hope are for you. God will always strengthen and help you when you are discouraged. He is with you wherever you go, so turn to him when words of discouragement are too much to bear.

“As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength.”
Psalm 138:3 New Living Translation

When you see anyone else who needs encouragement, God will give you the comforting, and uplifting, words to encourage them.

“Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:10-11 New Living Translation

“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 New Living Translation

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado