You Are Well Able!

It's been 20 months since my husband's brain cancer diagnosis(That's Darryl's picture on the right). People are always commenting on how well our family is doing in the midst of it. Many are also suprised how upbeat I seem most of the time ( though I do have my "break down and cry days!"). I must admit that in the first few months of my husband's disease, I was a mess. I was angry, scared and overwhelmed. Yes I had the pity parties. I couldn't imagine how I was going to assume the sole leadership role of my family and the idea of being the "go to" person for everything was daunting! But in the mix of things, God reminded me that according to Psalms 139 that He had "scheduled every day of my life" and this was no exception.

How do I continue to make it? It's through God's ability--not my own! Just like in Numbers 13 and 14 when the Hebrew spies went to scout out the land of Canaan--negativity can arise. It's easy to see the challenges and cower in defeat. But when you fully trust in the Lord you can confidently face those giants in your life.He reminds us in His Word that we are well able to possess every opportunity and blessing from Him if we would just depend and rely on His strength and abilities. The exciting part is that God will use the gifts, talents and abilities he has placed in you right in the middle of your circumstances. I know because that is when I published my first book Your Life, His Masterpiece--right in the middle of the brain cancer saga!

I knew we were going to be alright because with God in control--success is guaranteed! Begin to see yourself as God sees you--a winner, overcomer and success story. No matter what you're facing, you are well able to meet the challenges with Christ in the lead!
Warm Wishes,
Lisa
EncourageMentor

Encouragement Principle: God confidence supercedes self confidence!

Selah Moment: In what areas do you need more God confidence? How will you activate that confidence today!

[The Lord said,] "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT

Do You Have "The Look"?

The other day I was sitting at my computer working intensely on a project. My son Evan rushed over and began sharing his latest revelation about his favorite superheros. As he rambled on about superpowers , laser beams and invisible force fields, I responded in turn with a series of "um-hums", "wows" and "Oh I sees" concluded with a less than heartful "That's nice honey" --all without ever looking up from the computer. All at once, I felt my son's two little sticky fruit snackety hand, grab my face and lightning fast we were staring at each other almost nose to nose. Without even blinking Evan said with a very confident voice, "Mommy LOOK at me when I'm talking to you!" After a very pregnant pause, I burst out laughing and so did Evan for that matter. He wanted me to listen with my eyes and heart--not just my ears!

Have you ever try to share your thoughts, ideas or experiences with someone who wasn't really listening to you? It can be very frustrating and disheartening at best. As a talented encourager your goal is to give hope, courage and confidence to others. A talented encourager always seeks to "first understand and then be understood" according to Stephen Covey. In order to first understand you must make yourself completely "present" in the conversation. How do you do this? Here are a few tips:

• Make direct eye contact with the speaker. This shows that they are important and you are interested in what they have to say.
• Have a natural, relaxed body position. This demonstrates to the speaker that you are ready and open to hear their ideas and concerns,
• Stay on THEIR topic. Don't deviate to something of more interest to you.
• Avoid interrupting. Give them full attention and the time to fully express themselves.
• Think about what they say means to them NOT you.
• Respond back by "mirroring" what they say in order to clarify.
• Use their name intermittently. There's nothing more soothing than the sound of your name!

Remember encouragers stimulate inner courage. Listening with your "whole" self will take you a long way in motivating positive movement in the lives of others. What could be more important than that?

Warm Wishes,

Lisa

Encouragement Principle: Showing your "presence" in a conversation provides an encouraging and safe atmosphere for the speaker.

"Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

1 Thess. 5:11