Sometimes you have to encourage yourself! 

Happy New Year!!  With the start of a new year, the possibilities seem limitless.  Our goals seem attainable.  Obstacles appear to have disappeared.  Every eye is on the prize.  While I love to focus on the positive, there will be moments that will test our ability to see the challenge through to the end.

I had one of the moments, just last year...two days ago.  I stepped on the scale and found that I was 4 entire pounds heavier than I was when I weighed myself just before Christmas.  I knew I wasn't perfect during my family Christmas celebration.  However, I thought I had done a good job of not eating too much.  I definitely did a great job in the exercise department.  I worked out almost everyday, except Christmas.  Yet, when I stood on the scale showed 4 pounds more than the last time.  I was so looking forward to a weight loss, even a single pound.  My first thought was to have something great to eat.  By great, I mean taste great and high calorie.  Fortunately, there was no ice cream in my fridge.  

My eating that day was ok.  It could have been better and it could have been worse.  I didn't completely abandon my plan and working on making it more effective everyday.  My exercise was good for the day.  It wasn't an easy day to get through.  At some point, Encourage Yourself as performed by Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers popped into my head.  I needed that song all day.  Focus, focus.  The Victory is coming.  Encourange yourself in the Lord.

Today, all feels wonderful and I know that I am prepared to encourage myself when the goal looks far away.  Oh yeah, I'll weigh myself again...soon.  I'm determined to meet the goal.

Encourage Yourself
by Donald Lawrence

Verse 1:
Sometimes you have to encourage yourself.
Sometimes you have to speak victory during the test.
And no matter how you feel,
speak the word and you will be healed;
speak over yourself,
encourage yourself in the Lord.

Verse 2:
Sometimes you have to speak the word over yourself,
the pressure is all around,
but God is present help.
The enemy created walls,
but remember giants, they do fall;
speak over yourself,
encourage yourself in the Lord.

Bridge:
As I minister to you, I minister to myself,
life can hurt you so,
'til you feel there's nothing left.
(No matter how you feel),
(speak the word and you will be healed).

Vamp 1:
Speak over yourself.

Vamp 2:
I'm encouraged.
I'm encouraged.
I'm encouraged.
I'm encouraged.

Vamp 3:
I'm encouraged,
I'm encouraged,
I'm encouraged,
I'm encouraged.

Ending:
(Speak over yourself),
(encourage yourself in the Lord).