Author: Gail Johnson

Step 3: Encourage

/ Gail Johnson / 10 Comments

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12 (KJV)

Good afternoon! The third step in 5 STEPS to Success in 2025 is Encourage.

Encourage means to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope – Merriam Webster Dictionary

Everyone likes a little encouragement now and then, right?

In fact, we need encouragement because we live in a world of comparisons. We compare food, books, movies, clothes, and achievements. This competitive society often leaves us feeling less than. How can we not think life isn’t fair?

That is not an encouraging opening. But as I researched how encouraging others affects us, my mind kept circling back to why we withhold our encouragement. So this post isn’t like the first two, but a needful reminder to be on our guard when we can’t offer congratulations for a job well done or encourage another on their journey.

Let’s look at why we may feel unable to offer encouragement.

Reasons We May Withhold Encouragement

The first two reasons that leap to mind are jealousy and covetousness

Jealousy – envious of someone’s accomplishments or possessions

Covetous – not only jealous but also a resentful longing for what they have

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5

Other reasons for withholding encouragement may include an injustice or what we perceive as an injustice. Author Sandra Byrd shares a perfect example of this in her one-year devotional.

“The runners did not start at the same place—some were farther ahead than others, and the final racer seemed to be starting way behind. Their starting spots were staggered.
It seemed unfair.
I looked it up, and the staggering was actually a means to make the race fair. Each runner’s race was marked out, and by staggering the lanes, it ensured that the runners on the outside did not have to run farther than those on the inside.”  Experiencing God’s Love, A Year of Abundance | Sandra Byrd | Used by permission

Think about that for a moment. When I read the devotion, I questioned my judgment. How many times have I misjudged a situation because I perceived an injustice?

If we believe we are created by God and our purpose is found in God, then we should also trust His ways are just.

My journey is not your journey. We all have our roads to travel. Mine may be more circuitous than yours. You may reach the end before I do. That is definitely true when it comes to writing. 😊But the Lord is Faithful and True. He is a just God, and He is on this journey with us.

He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. Deuteronomy 32:4

Something to Ponder

What if Moses was jealous of Joshua? What if Peter had been envious of Paul? Now, think about what these four men accomplished by running their own race. Moses helped Joshua. Peter spoke of Paul in his letters. All four finished their race!

Truth

Yes, things do seem a little distorted at times. Just as we cannot trust our emotions, the same goes for our sight. We are not God. We do not see the same picture. Let’s trust the Lord, obey His commandments, and encourage one another! Even when that encouragement seems to stick in our throats, do it! I promise you’ll feel better. 😉

Giveaway

I’m offering an ebook copy of Sandra’s devotion. Leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway. U. S. entries only.

STEP 2: Track

/ Gail Johnson / 4 Comments

And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. Deuteronomy 11:19 (KJV)

The Israelites were to teach their children about the ways of the Lord and what He had done for them. As a child of God, the life we live is our story. We should share our journey with others as a testimony of God’s faithfulness.

Track

The second step in our 5 STEPS for Success in 2025 is Track.

Webster defines Track as an awareness of a fact, progression, or condition. It also lists to keep track of something. Merriam-Webster

Tracking our blessings can be beneficial to our health. Recalling God’s past provisions will lift our spirits, give us hope, and grow our patience. Try it and see if you don’t feel better. Our testimonies of His goodness also benefit our families and churches.

This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:21-23 (KJV)

On the other hand, forgetting God’s blessings robs us of joy, hope, and peace as we fret over our problems. It also robs others of hearing the truth about God’s love.

I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13 (KJV)

Think about the last time a song ministered to you. More than likely, that song was a story of someone’s loss, heartache, or victory. The lyrics blessed you because the writer took the time to write and share their story. An untracked story is a lost story.

I am ashamed to say I have not written down every blessing. I often wonder about those I have forgotten. Could they have helped someone in their time of need? More importantly, have I treated the miracles of God as ordinary things?

What to Track

Throughout the Old Testament, the Israelites were called to remember the promises of God. Question: If the Creator of the Universe gives us an answer to prayer, a dream, or a lesson from our daily activity, why would we not want to write it down so we can remember and share it with others?

Here are a few suggestions we can track this year. You can add more if you like.

Family History
God’s promises to you and your family
Blessings received
Prayers answered

Ways to Track

Keep a journal
Notate a Bible to give to your children or grandchildren
Take study notes to pass down to someone
If you paint, draw, or write songs or poetry, tell the story behind it

Why Track

As a witness to the goodness of God
As a reminder of God’s faithfulness in times of hardship

But I’m not a writer, you may say. That’s fine. You don’t have to be a writer or understand all grammar rules. Keep a record for yourself and your family, or tell the storyteller in your family so they can write it in the genealogy records.

Okay, now that we’ve discussed the spiritual side of tracking, let’s talk about the physical side.

Something Happens When We Write.

Researchers suggest handwriting improves brain connectivity. Dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitter, is also released. If that’s true, why wouldn’t we want to spend several minutes a day with pen and paper? Especially when we tend to forget things as we age.

Our brains need the exercise.

Remember multiplications and musical scales? We practiced until it felt like our heads would explode. The truth is repetition builds bridges between synapses. Once that bridge is built, it’s hard to forget. Memories are what we have learned. They are also the way we retrieve that knowledge.

As we age, we lose memory if we don’t care for ourselves. We are often encouraged to learn a new language, play word games, or learn a new instrument. Why not add handwriting scripture and tracking blessings to that list?

With all that learning and exercise, researchers recommend we spend less time in front of our screens and limit our sugar intake. All are great ideas to increase knowledge and care for our brains.

Finally, going back to our main scripture. When the Israelites failed to recall God’s law and blessings, they became independent of Him and fell into idolatry. Today, we may not have golden idols in groves, but when we fail to acknowledge God, we look to ourselves for provision. And I daresay there are quite a few idols we can entertain in our hearts. Tracking our blessings, especially during a blessed season, keeps our hearts humble and our focus upward. Let’s track those blessings!

Happy tracking, beloved!

Your Turn

Do you track your blessings? Write scriptures? What would you add to the list to help recall the blessings of God and exercise your brain?

Articles to Read

What Excessive Screen Time Does to the Adult Brain – Stanford Center on Longevity

The Simple Act of Daily Writing Can Dramatically Improve Your Mental Health – Allison Fallon

The Power of the Pen: How Handwriting Enhances Brain Connectivity – Neurosceincenews.com

Why Writing by Hand is Better for Your Brain – Pamela B. Rutledge Ph.D., M.B.A. Psychology Today

STEP 1: Sing

/ Gail Johnson / 16 Comments

Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy. 

Psalm 59:17 (KJV)

Not every plan we implement this year will bring the success we crave. The first step to a successful year is to realize a one-size-fits-all plan is not the answer. Just as our dreams and journeys are personal, our plans should be designed for us, too.

Another reason our strategy should be personalized is that complicated plans are abandoned, while easy plans often leave out crucial elements for the sake of reaching the goal. Discovering the perfect steps to help us obtain our objectives may take a while. Still, we shouldn’t give up. Meanwhile, we succeed anytime we obey the Word of God. Guaranteed.

5 STEPS for Success in 2025 is a simple way to reach daily goals. I want to share Step 1 today.

Sing for Spiritual Renewal

Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

Psalm 30:4 (KJV)

If remembering God’s holiness is the only reason we sing, then let us sing for that reason alone. Of course, there are other reasons for an aria.

Something happens when we sing.

If you think the commandment to sing is for God’s benefit alone, you’re mistaken. A physical, mental, and spiritual shift occurs when we lift our voices in song. For instance, our physical bodies are changed. We move beyond the pain and heartache. We break spiritual chains and win wars. We walk in victory.

When Paul and Silas were in Philippi, they were beaten with many stripes and thrown in prison. But they didn’t quit.

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.

Acts 16:25-26 (KJV)

Another example is Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. When he faced three armies, he cried unto the Lord for a plan. The Lord answered his prayer.

Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you. 

2 Chronicles 20:17 (KJV)

Jehoshaphat appointed singers to go before the army. (How would you feel about that plan? 😊)

And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.

2 Chronicles 20:22 (KJV)

Sing for Physical Renewal

Did you know that something happens in, and to, your body when you sing?

For instance, the left side of the brain is responsible for speech. With it, we construct sentences. However, the right side is responsible for creativity, which involves rhythm and melody. When we sing, both sides of our brains light up! That’s why people who stutter can sing their words without any difficulty.

Singing also strengthens the lungs. A great exercise is to sing or hum while walking or running. And that’s not all! Belting out our favorite tune improves memory because we focus on several things, like music, rhythm, and words.  

Singing can also reduce anxiety and stress, thereby reducing cortisol. Can anyone say belly fat?

Another reason to sing is that singing releases endorphins. Endorphins are the body’s painkillers.  

Serotonin improves sleep, boosts moods, and helps control appetites.

Dopamine helps a person feel pleasure and motivation. It plays a key role in learning, memory, mood, and sleep.

Oxytocin is released in different ways. A few are laughter, exercise, music, and ultraviolet light. A reason we need to spend time in the sun. It relieves stress and anxiety, builds trust, and affects our moods.

As you can see, there are many different reasons to sing. So grab your favorite playlists, radio, or CD, and sing your favorite song while walking in the sunshine!

Your Turn

Share your favorite worship songs and hymns in the comments. Have a wonderful week!

Articles to Read

Endorphins: The brain’s natural pain reliever – Harvard Health Publishing

The Science Behind Singing: What Happens When We Sing? – London Singing Institute

The World’s Most Accessible Stress Reliever – bbc.com

What to Know About Oxytocin Hormone – WebMD