1 Samuel 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.
The young pastor had only been at his first church for a couple of weeks. After concluding his Sunday morning sermon, He was standing at the door shaking hands with the people as they left to go home. And elderly gentleman approached him, shook his hand and looking intently into his eyes said, “that was the worst sermon I have ever heard.” The elderly man then turned and went back to the end of the line of people leaving the church. When the elderly man got to the front of the line again he shook the pastor’s hand, looked intently into his eyes and said, “that sermon was even worse than the sermon you gave last week.” He turned and headed once again toward the end of the line of departing congregants. Seeing the pained expression on the pastor’s face the next man in line said, “don’t worry about old Tom. He’s losing his memory. He just repeats what he hears everybody else saying.”
The lesson in this is that we can’t rely on others to keep us encouraged. Most of the time we have to encourage ourselves. This is not always an easy task. We are most successful when we follow the example of David and encourage ourselves “in the Lord.” (vs 6) Remember that He is the One you need to please. Rehearse the many times He has showered you with blessings that you did not deserve. Allow His smile of approval to put a smile on your face.
by Dr. Gayle Woods