Be Encouraged Online is here to provide hope and encouragement to people going through the difficult trials of illness and disability.  Our mission is to make you aware of resources that can help you and to remind you that you are NOT ALONE and that THERE IS HOPE!

Based on our own life experiences with chronic illness and pain,  we want you to know that there are those who understand and care and that God cares too!   He isn't surprised by what you are dealing with.  He loves you and is waiting for you to turn your eyes up and look to Him.  

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Updated December 29, 2011 - Our current scripture verse and discussion is a re-post from earlier in 2011.   While Angie has continued to decline from the effects of CNS Lupus, we felt this particular scripture and explanation applied all the more to us - so we share it again.   We thank our friends for continued prayers as we walk through each day.
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PSALM 42:5 (NIV)

"Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God (PSALM 42:5)


Are you downcast, depressed and lonely - or worse?

Why is that?

Odds are that it has something to do with circumstances or what is happening in you or to you.

Most of us, regardless of our personality are affected by the circumstances we find ourselves in. We tend to find our security and happiness in lots of different things.  Our status, relationships, wealth or … health?  What happens when any one of those things is threatened or repeatedly at risk?

Now, some of us are of strong constitution and take the trials of life in stride, always seeming to be steady, no matter what.  Then there are those of us who are easily affected and can even be described as "on a roller coaster"... one minute feeling joy and the next fear or anxiety... all based on what is happening to us or what is going on around us. But even the strong... after a lengthy period of intense testing, begin to crack and show the effects of stress. Even they become downcast or turn somewhere for relief.

But the scripture says "Why?”   It asks why we are down and why are we so disturbed?  The answer is not stated, but implied.  We need to put our Hope in God.  We need to praise Him as our Savior and our God not only in the good days but especially in the trials!  If that was easy, we wouldn't need to have this website or write about this verse.

Brothers and sisters, when we find ourselves in periods of trials, we can know that God has His eye on us. He never leaves us or forsakes us. He does not move away from us, we turn our eyes away from Him.

Jesus never promised the believer an easy life on this earth.  In fact, he warned us that those who would follow Him would "take up their cross".   We know from the New Testament that we will share in His sufferings.   What he DID promise was to NEVER leave us or forsake us and that we should share in eternal life with Him.   He asked us to have a very different perspective on life.

He did not promise to heal all of His children of any and all infirmity or disease.   In fact, when the scriptures say "by his stripes we are healed", it is referring to our spiritually DEAD condition without Jesus.  His suffering (stripes), death and resurrection is what heals our dead condition and gives us ETERNAL LIFE!!!  The Bible talks about our new, glorified (healthy) body coming to us in Heaven, not here.

Lest anyone get the idea that we (here at Be Encouraged) have it "all together", allow me to share that my wife and I are in a particularly long trial at the moment.   It is severe and seemingly unrelenting and just when we feel we can get a deep breath of relief, here comes another 'bomb'.  We have felt downcast and disturbed!  Sometimes it seems like God has walked away and is letting the fire burn out of control!  .... BUT He is Faithful!   In this last week, when the Father saw that we were hurting to the point we could no longer encourage ourselves, he sent other brothers and sisters in Christ to lift us up and help us see over the walls of the trial once again.   What a relief!

One of the important functions of the body of Christ and your local church is to provide encouragement and to help bear your burdens.   We hope you have such a group to associate with.

If you don't have a relationship with Christ, the trials in your life are very possibly there to drive you to Him.   You see, He loves you and will stop at nothing to win your heart!   If you know Him, the trials are surely to glorify Him through your obedience and trust.  And know that He knows when enough is enough.   Please take a look at our Helps page for links to information about truly finding Christ and growing in Him!

We pray today that you will be able to find your Hope and Peace in the Lord and Be Encouraged as you seek Him.

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If you want to know more about following Christ or have decided to follow Him, please click on the Helps page to find links that will show you the simple steps to salvation and will lead you in learning what the Bible has to say about your new life in Christ.   And, you can always drop us a line at be-encouraged@hotmail.com.