Receiving Encouragement

God's word tells us to encourage one another daily. I believe we are instructed to do this because every person really does need daily encouragement, especially homeschool moms. Receiving encouragement from others is essential if we, our family, and our homeschool are to thrive.As the days wear on, we need to hear:

You can do it!It's okay. God will use this circumstance and turn it for good.You are God's first choice for teaching your children; He will equip you.God does not call the equipped, He equips the called. You were called by Him to homeschool your children.

We are all vulnerable to being discouraged because we are human. We make mistakes. We sometimes do things the messy way, the wrong way. But as Christians, we are always growing, learning, and changing. This happens more quickly if we don't allow despair to toss us into a pit.Yet, we're sure to fall into discouragement if we don't have someone coming alongside us, imparting courage as we make our way along the sometimes rocky, sometimes smooth homeschool trail.

If you feel like you are slipping into a pit, don't despair.

Remember that sometimes we feel lonely, and sometimes we run into troubles, difficulties, and challenges. This is normal life for every body. It's really what we believe about those difficulties that can keep us plugging along toward the smooth path again. We must believe that God has a good plan for us and wants the best for us and our children. He is on YOUR side (even though you are not everything you think you should be). He is for you. Receive His encouragement.The word God spoke to the prophet Jeremiah is for us, His children, today:

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans for a hope and a future.

If you feel you've already fallen into a pit, let me encourage you with Psalm 40:

I waited patiently for the LORD;He turned to me and heard my cry.He lifted me out of the slimy pit,out of the mud and mire;he set my feet on a rockand gave me a firm place to stand.He put a new song in my mouth,a hymn of praise to our God.  

God wants to give you beauty for ashes and a garment of praise for a spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61). So put off that spirit of heaviness by praising Him today. Put on your favorite worship music and just begin praising Him. You'll find that a spirit of heaviness can't stand in the presence of praise and you'll begin to feel better.Find a homeschooling friend who will be an encouragement partner, and help one another believe that God wants to remove the rocks from your paths and make your ways smooth. Encourage one another every day in the truth that God is for you, and though it may be tough right now, He always leads His children to green pastures and still waters after the storm.It's not God's plan that we just survive in our homeschool. He has so much more for us and our children.

He wants us to thrive!

But it only happens by daily receiving encouragement from His word and from those He's placed in our path.

 Read on for more homeschool encouragement.