The Great Encourager

"Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; 
He will never allow the righteous to be shaken."
Psalm 55:22

This has been one of those weeks when I questioned if I was really hearing God correctly. Ever have such times in your life? You've set your feet on a path that you believe is the one God has chosen for you, but then somewhere down the road the scenery looks unfamiliar and you wonder if you misread God's road map. The burden of doubt presses down on your shoulders. Maybe this isn't where God wants me to be after all. Maybe I'm supposed to be somewhere else. I hate to admit that I'm not alway good about taking this particular burden to the Lord. My tendency is to fret and stew and hope that very soon God gives me a sign that shows me I'm in the right place. How foolish! My Heavenly Father is compassionate and loving and kind. He wants me to come to Him when I'm discouraged and ask for the encouragement I need. I'm so glad this time I remembered that. Yesterday I prayed, "Lord, would you please encourage me in this?" And you know what? He did. Today He showered me with encouragement. Through an email I received, a phone call from an out-of-state friend and the words of a friend nearby the Lord spoke right to my discouraged heart and assured me that I am right where He wants me, doing just what He wants me to do. The enemy wants to keep us from taking our burdens -- whatever they are -- to the Lord. But let's not let him do that. Let's remember verses like Psalm 55:22 and cast our burdens upon the Lord. He's the Great Encourager.