The God of All Comfort
Life-Giving Encouragement
Sharon W. Betters
Daily Treasure from MARKINC.org
Dear Friends,
The topic of encouragement is dear to me because encouragers helped turn my heart toward the Lord after the fatal car accident that took the lives of our son Mark and his friend Kelly. When God seemed far away, He sent His people as His hands, feet, words, listening ears, and comforting heart. God kept the promise of His presence and comfort through the actions of each person. God sent His people as His promise keepers. Life-giving words and actions stirred up our faith and reminded us that God is sovereign and we can trust Him.
I imagine that many who came to our home in those awful days after Mark’s death felt inadequate and helpless in the face of our great sorrow. I wonder how many sat in their cars for a few extra minutes, praying for the right words, the right actions, wanting to help but knowing nothing they said or did would give us what we wanted most — our son.
Our gratitude for each of those encouragers continues to this day, for each one of their gestures helped turn our hearts toward our Savior.
We live in a broken world. People we love experience devastating losses. Sometimes the hurt shatters families, friendships, and relationships in such enormous ways that we feel helpless and turn away. Others may want to offer help and hope to hurting people, but don’t know how. Others live with low-grade guilt because their lives are so busy, they can’t imagine adding one more task to their “to-do list.”
Do not fret that this devotional will load on more guilt. Rather, the ultimate goal is for us to understand that intimacy with Jesus can make encouragement a natural overflow of His love for us into the lives of others. So be at peace, dear friend! This devotional is not another to-do list, but rather an invitation to revel in the love of our Savior so much so that biblical encouragement eventually flows naturally.
The purpose of this devotional is not in-depth Bible study but rather healthy spiritual snack food to keep you going when you’re tired of the darkness and want to quit. Print out the Daily Treasure graphic and refer to it often or share it on social media. Journal your thoughts and actions directed by the Lord, and one day, years from now, you’ll find that little notebook stuck in the back of a drawer and you’ll marvel at the way the Lord led you to help turn your friend’s heart to Him, in the darkest night of her soul. Even more, you’ll remember the deep love you felt streaming from Him as He answered your pleas for help through His Word and prayer.
Feel free to contact me through treasuresofencouragement.org. Invite friends to join you on this life-giving encouragement journey.
Treasured by Him,
Sharon
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
Read Psalm 86 for a reminder of God’s kindness, forgiveness and compassion.
Read Treasures of Encouragement, Chapter 1 (Reading Treasures of Encouragement is not a requirement for this devotional!) If you want to dig deeper and don’t have a copy of this book, you can order it online and find free supplemental resources at treasuresofencouragement.org.
Are there other women in your life who could benefit from a daily dose of encouragement? Forward this email so they can click on this link to Subscribe to Daily Treasure to be better equipped to walk by faith on the pathway God has marked out for them.
Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.
