hope

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 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

Happy New Year!

/ Gail Johnson / 13 Comments

Have you made plans for 2025? I haven’t unless you count the unfinished plans for 2024.

Do you have any leftover plans?

One thing I have planned for the coming year, and every year, is to delve even deeper into God’s Word than I did the year before. Studying helps my mind and spirit connect with the Lord and His purpose for me. I’ve listed below several verses I find helpful in my yearlong journey. Why not share yours in the comments?

Studying

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

Keeping His Word before me ensures I remain faithful to His purpose for my life.

Memorization

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11

The Word will keep me from unsavory paths where danger awaits.

Prayer

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:18

Time spent in prayer is never wasted. It is a privilege to converse with the Lord. He hears my prayers.

Fasting

Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. Matthew 6:16

And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hundred. Matthew 4:2

As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. Acts 13:2-3

Fasting is beneficial to the body and spirit. It is a discipline the New Testament believers practiced, including Jesus. It truly makes a difference in my walk with the Lord.

Recalling

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Romans 6:6-7

God’s Word teaches me I have been forgiven and set free. I am no longer a slave to sin, serving an evil taskmaster. I am a child of light. I have a choice to do good or evil. By God’s grace, I can overcome and live in victory!

Your Turn

Now that I’ve shared a few verses that keep me moving forward in my walk with the Lord, why not share yours. Which one is sustaining you on your journey thus far?

All scriptures are taken from the King James Version Bible.