Category: Encouragement

Christian, Encouragement

Getting Inspired To Inspire Others: For Teachers

Cindy Dawson

2-Minute Devotion for Tuesday, 7/28/26

(This is a post I wrote before I retired as a special education teacher.)

School is getting ready to start here. Hello Middle School! I know I’m supposed to show the love of Christ, but that isn’t always easy. Sometimes I think my students need a kick in the pants. I have expectations, you know! 🤔

God showed me something profound about expectations. Wolfgang von Goethe* said,

“If you treat an individual as he is, he will remain how he is. But if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become what he ought to be and could be.”

This I know: Some children desperately need someone to believe in them.

Even if you teach in a public school, you can still teach children to be kind, to treat others as they want to be treated, to forgive, and many other Christian values. As Thumper so famously said,
“If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all.”

You can set an example for them by being non-judgmental, loving, patient, and kind.

“In everything set them an example by doing what is good.” Titus 2:7 NIV

Pray for Christian teachers in the public schools. They are missionaries!

*Wolfgang von Goethe is considered the most influential writer in the German language. Did you know his poems were set to music by many famous composers, including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert, Franz Liszt, Richard Wagner, and others?

In His Love, Cindy

“God treated Jesus as if He had lived my life, that I may be treated as if I had lived His life.” Harvey Stalker

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6 NASB

¹”Johann Wolfgang von Goethe,” Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/quotes/33242

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian, Encouragement

You Are Being Equipped for Ministry

Cindy Dawson

2-Minute Devotion for Sunday, 7/19/26

“And He (Jesus) gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ” Ephesians 4:11-12 NASB (emphasis mine)

The leaders are given to the church for the purpose of preparing every member to do the work of ministry––to render service to the Lord, to the church, and to the world.

“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” Colossians 3:23-24 NASB

“The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God. Whoever speaks is to do so as one who is speaking actual words of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:7-11 NASB (emphasis mine)

There are many forms of ministry. Find yours!

In His Love, Cindy

“God treated Jesus as if He had lived my life, that I may be treated as if I had lived His life.” Harvey Stalker

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”

Psalm 122:6 NASB

All photos from Unsplash+

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian, Encouragement

Blessed Are Those Who Mourn

Cindy Dawson

Devotion for Monday, 7/13/26

This post from Alan Kearns at Devotional Treasure impacted me in a powerful way.

“One may mourn over the loss of a loved one or of possessions, one can also mourn over sin, and the results of it in life…”  Alan Kearns

Blessed Are Those Who Mourn – Repost

In His Love, Cindy

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”

Psalm 122:6 NASB

Photo by Dima Kapralov on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Encouragement

How To Encourage Someone

Cindy Dawson

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us… if it is to encourage, then give encouragement;” Romans 12:6,8 (Emphasis mine)

The Bible commands us to encourage one another. The following is a list of ways we can encourage someone.

HOW TO BE AN EFFECTIVE ENCOURAGER

1. Listen. Listening is better than talking. We need to give the person we want to encourage focused attention. That means we are carefully listening to them, not just waiting for our turn to talk. (Ouch!) Having someone listen is the best medicine for a hurting heart.

2. Provide affirmation before offering help. This validates their feelings and struggles.

3. Be compassionate and caring. The thing your friend needs most may not be answers, but just someone to talk to, someone who cares, so they can share their hurts or worries safely.

4. Do not pretend to know what they are going through or tell them what happened to you.

5. Write them an encouraging note. Believe it or not, two or three sentences can turn a person’s day around. I have received many encouraging notes over the decades, and I have kept many of them to this day.

6. Pray for them and let them know you are praying.

Maybe the Holy Spirit will lead you to pray in a certain way. Or maybe He will guide you in what to say. Or maybe He just wants you to show love and compassion. If your friend wants your advice, she will probably ask for it.

For some, being an encourager is a spiritual gift, but it is something we must all do. Let the Lord guide you to those who need your encouragement.

I can’t tell you how many times a comment someone left on my blog turned my day around. Many times, the Holy Spirit is encouraging me through their message, but they probably had no idea how timely it was. In fact, this happens quite often.

“Encourage the disheartened” 1 Thessalonians 5:14

To be disheartened means to have lost hope, courage, or enthusiasm. It is a state of feeling discouraged, demoralized, or dispirited, often as a result of experiencing setbacks, failure, or unexpected difficulties. (Dictionary.com)

The definition of encouragement is: “The act of inspiring others with renewed courage, a renewed spirit, or renewed hope.”

Look around. People who need encouragement are all around you. Ask God to help you reach out to them.

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

Note: I have learned a lot about encouragement from David Jeremiah’s book, The Joy of Encouragement. I think you would, too.

In His Love, Cindy

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”

Psalm 122:6 NASB

Photo: Getty Images for Unsplash+

RealChristianWomen.blog

Bible and Scripture, Encouragement

Overcoming Anxiety with Faith and Prayer

Cindy Dawson

A Personal Testimony for Sunday, 6/7/26

One side effect of trauma is severe anxiety. That anxiety may vary in severity, sometimes controllable, sometimes out of your control.

Recently, I had to pick up my daughter, her husband, and her baby at the Nashville International Airport. The airport has changed a lot since the last time I picked someone up at arrivals.

They had moved the Cell Phone Waiting Area, and I couldn’t find it. Lost in heavy city traffic, I became extremely anxious. Not ordinary anxiety, but intense anxiety where your heart starts beating rapidly, and fear threatens to control your thoughts.

Immediately, I remembered Philippians 4:6-7.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

I started to sing the message of this Scripture to the tune of How Great Thou Art. Start the music!

🎶 Oh Lord, My God, I will not be anxious.

For I will pray, and offer up my praise.

With heartfelt thanks, I turn to You, my Savior.

And the peace of God

Will guard my heart and mind.

This peace You give

Transcends all understanding.

It stills my thoughts and heals my anxious soul.

Oh Lord, My God, I will not be anxious.

For I will pray, and offer up my praise.

With heartfelt thanks, I turn to You, my Savior.

The peace of God will guard my heart and mind.

This peace You give transcends all understanding.

It stills my thoughts and heals my anxious soul.

(repeat until calm)

I don’t know how I came up with this idea. It just popped into my mind, which could only be attributed to the grace of our faithful God, who knows how to rescue His children in times of need. I calmed down, and the next thing I knew, I had my daughter and her precious family in the car, and we were headed to my home!

“I will praise the Lord at all times.
    I will constantly speak his praises.

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.
Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;” Psalm 34:1, 4-5 NLT Read full chapter

In His Love, Cindy

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”

Psalm 122:6 NASB

Photo by Rod Long on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian, Encouragement

Friday’s Verse, 11/11/22

Cindy Dawson

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:17 NIV Read full chapter

Do you want to know more about Jesus? Read my page Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Ryoji Iwata on Unsplash

realchristianwomen.blog  

Encouragement

How To Write An Encouraging Blog

Cindy Dawson

Dear Blogger Friends, Many of you have the gift of encouragement! How do I know? Because you encourage me all the time! So many times, I have read your blog and it hit me right between the eyes! It was just what I needed that day!

But you don’t have to be a blogger for God to use you to encourage others. God will use you to encourage others in many different ways, but today’s post will focus on written encouragement.

” . . . so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” Romans 12:5-8 NIV

The gift of encouragement is more important than ever in the church today. Between the pressure of political correctness, the increase of Christian persecution, and the flaming arrows of the evil one, Christians need encouragement to fight their battles. God did not intend for us to fight alone.

It is our faith in God’s Word that protects us from the enemy! It is our shield. So don’t hesitate to quote the Scripture in your written encouragement.

” . . . take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:16 NIV

When you write God’s Word on your blog or written note, there is power in those words and they bring encouragement to the reader by the power of the Holy Spirit.

” . . . the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled..” Romans 15:4 NLT

We all need to encourage each other!

“Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:10-11 NL

The Apostle Paul encouraged the Believers through his letters, written while he was in prison. (Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon) In fact, he wasn’t known to be a good speaker, but he wrote with power! (See 2 Corinthians 10:1 NIV.)

“I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away!” 2 Corinthians 10:1 NIV

And don’t forget Barnabas!

“Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means ‘Son of Encouragement’ ) . . . ” Acts 4:36 NIV

Can you imagine? This Joseph was such an encouraging believer, they changed his name to Son of Encouragement! Most Christians have heard of Barnabas, but they don’t know his real name.

This is my favorite verse because I know my personal suffering will bring about comfort for others through Christ my Lord.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,  who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV

“Encouragement is transfusing some of your courage into another life.” *

If that desire is in your heart, to encourage and comfort others, use that gift freely! Fan it into flame by using it often!

With Love, 

Cindy

This Is My Journey Unscripted.

Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?

*Dr. David Jeremiah, THE JOY OF ENCOURAGEMENT

Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash

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