What are some encouraging Bible verses?
Answer No matter what our discouraging situation, there are encouraging verses in the Bible that can give us hope: When you’ve lost something, or someone, who has been very precious to you: Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Revelation 1:18 “I am alive forevermore.” John 11:25 “Jesus said to…
What is the key to overcoming discouragement?
The word discouragement comes from the root word courage. The prefix dis- means “the opposite of.” So discouragement is the opposite of courage. When we are discouraged, we have lost the motivation to press forward. The mountain seems too steep, the valley too dark, or the battle too fierce, and we lose the courage to…
How can the Bible bring comfort during a difficult time?
The Bible is the Word of God written to His people and, as such, it contains everything we need to be “complete” (2 Timothy 3:15-17). Part of the “everything” we need is comfort. The Bible has a lot to say about comfort and has many passages that comfort us in life’s tough times. Yes, the…
What are boundaries, and are they biblical?
A boundary is a “dividing line.” In geography, a boundary is that which marks the end of one property or jurisdiction and the beginning of another. In interpersonal relationships, a boundary is what divides one person from another, so that each can have separate identities, responsibilities, and privileges. A boundary creates necessary “space” between individuals.…
I am a victim of abuse. Why do I feel guilty?
The very nature of abuse, especially sexual abuse, leaves its victims feeling dirty and ashamed, as if they have sinned. Abuse, by definition, is simply the misuse of something or someone. That misuse may also involve complications that include some form of victim participation. In ensuing years, when a victim struggles to recover from the…
What does the Bible say about empathy?
The Scriptures refer to the quality of empathy, which we see demonstrated in several biblical narratives. Empathy is the capacity to feel another person’s feelings, thoughts, or attitudes vicariously. The apostle Peter counseled Christians to have “compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous” (1 Peter 3:8, NKJV). The apostle Paul also…
What does the Bible say about burnout?
Anyone who has experienced burnout knows it is not something he ever wants to experience again. Burnout is commonly described as an exhausted state in which a person loses interest in a particular activity and even in life in general. Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, social, and spiritual exhaustion. It can lead to…
What does the Bible say about tough love?
“Tough love” is an expression that is generally thought of as a disciplinary measure where someone is treated rather sternly with the intention of helping him or her in the long run. Tough love may be the refusal to give assistance to a friend asking for help when to do so would simply allow him…