I did an activity in high school where we wrote our names on a colored piece of construction paper. We could be as creative as we wanted with how we wrote them. The only rules were, the names had to be big enough to read but not too big that it took up the entire page.
Once we were done, we placed them on our desks. Then one by one we went to each desk and wrote something positive about the person whose name appeared on the paper. By the time we were done, our paper was filled with nice things people wrote about us.
We were told to keep that piece of paper. And any time we felt discouraged, all we needed to do was pull it out and read it to lift our spirits.
My encouragement kit
I don’t know how many people actually kept their papers. I know I did. Not only that, but I created my very own Encouragement Kit. In fact, I have several. There is one that I keep in my closet in a pretty little gift bag. It contains cards and/or encouraging letters people have written to me. Actually, just looking at the gift bag is enough to bring me joy.
Then I have a journal named Book of Remembrance. It’s where I keep a record of all answered prayers. It’s a testimony of God’s faithfulness for future generations and a reminder to me, least I forget.
I also have Bible verses scattered throughout the house, displayed in frames, tchotchkes, or written all over my journal, so they are always on the forefront of my mind.
Of course, not all Encouragement Kits are visible, some I store in my head. I keep Bible verses, simple mantras, and my word for the year (read more about that here) in my mind. So when I’m feeling fearful or discouraged, I use it to give myself a pep talk.
Recently, I’ve also started to keep Encouragement Kits on my phone. I’ve started a page that contains inspirational stories and/or encouraging quotes I’ve read. It’s pretty convenient and readily accessible. And, I can use it to encourage others as well.
It’s amazing how just doing something as simple as filling my mind with positive things like inspirational quotes and stories, or Bible verses, empowers me to keep going. They’re like my personal cheering squad, cheering me on when I feel disheartened and tempted to give up.
My year so far
The reason I bring up this topic is because I’ve had to use my cheering squad a lot this year. It’s been a challenging season for me. There’s been a lot of unexpected, more bad than good. I wish it were the opposite because I like the good kinds of unexpected. You know, like opening the front door and seeing a package with your name on it that you didn’t order. I like those kinds of unexpected but unfortunately, those have been few and far between.
Instead, it feels like no matter how hard I try, I can’t reach the top of this mountain I’ve been climbing for ages. I keep hitting roadblocks or setbacks. It makes progress soo agonizingly slow that I just want to stop, throw in the towel, and say I’m done. I’m too tired to take another step. And believe me, living this way gets old, really fast.
But if I’m not careful, this mentality can lead to despondency. And I certainly don’t want to go there. I don’t want to focus on the negative and give it power over my life. Rather, I want to be grateful for what I have and where I am today, even if it’s not where I want to be.
The Importance of an Encouragement Kit
That’s why Encouragement Kits are so important. It’s security against despondency: A firewall. It stops all the negative and focuses the mind on whatever is true, right, pure, admirable, excellent, and worthy of praise (Phil 4:8). It pulls you out of your own head and allows you to get a better perspective. And it’s remarkable how fixing the mind with positive thoughts can change the spirit.
This is why I would encourage all of you to start your own Encouragement Kits. Fill it with anything and everything that inspires and breathes life into you. Be a collector of encouragement, this way you can have your own cheering squad when you’re going through difficult times.
My prayer
In the meantime, no matter what you’re going through remember you are not alone. If there’s anyway I can pray for you this week, just let me know.