[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][1 Samuel 30:6 KJV] “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 crowd is great when life is great; they sing your praises when all is well with you, but you know those who are really for you when difficult times come. This is a harsh but real truth about leadership and life. You have to understand that not everybody following and fighting along, and laughing with you is for you. Hard times and unfavourable conditions reveal your true friends and loyal followers.
Anybody can love and flow with you when things are really cool for you. Your real friends will be revealed when the devil hits you hard. The text we read is about David and his men. They were having a great time fighting the Lord’s battle and having a great time, until one day when the enemy besieged their city when they were away. The enemy carried away their wives and children and burned their camp.
The Bible tells us that when the men returned and saw that their wives and children have been carried away, they wept until they had no more strength to weep, and David was greatly distressed because the people talked about stoning him. When things go right, the crowd wants to share in the credit and glory but when things go wrong, they blame it on leadership. The tides turned against them, they thought about stoning David. The Bible says and David encouraged himself in the Lord.
You cannot always be turning to people and places for motivation and encouragement. You must learn to encourage yourself in the Lord daily because when things become difficult, most people will run away. Most people will desert you; even many of those who come around only come to find information for laughter and gossiping.
Listen, when the lights are low and the crowds begin to depart, don’t be shocked — it’s human nature for people to preserve themselves, you do too. Many may give up on you and desert you, but never give up on desert yourself.
To encourage yourself is to be able to say that I don’t know why this is befalling me, I can’t explain why things went the way they did, but God is still God and He will remain my God. You don’t have to change your perception of God because of what is happening, rather just keep trusting that He is working on something greater. Allow the word of God and His promises to minister to you in times when the lights are low.
Be blessed, I love you!
Kofi Simpe
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