InstaEncouragements Blog

A Small Book About a Big Problem

4/7/2020

The Bible says that a short-tempered person is a fool.

"Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools." Ecclesiastes 7:9

It also says that a wise person restrains their anger.

"Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense" Proverbs 19:11

Proverbs 16:32 even says that if we are slow to anger we are better than the mighty, and he who takes a city. The book of Proverbs actually has quite a bit to say about anger.

Ephesians 4:26-27 tells us that if we are angry, we should get over it quickly!

"Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil." Ephesians 4:26-27

9 Comments

How to Understand Emotional Differences in Marriage

4/3/2020

2 Comments

How to Understand Emotional Differences in Marriage Using the Bible

There are some striking emotional differences between men and women. I didn’t have to tell you that, did I? Most likely, you’ve already made this discovery. In my book, The Heart That Heals, I dedicate an entire chapter to these emotional differences.

Today, I want to explore with you why and how are we different emotionally. I also want to encourage you to be the helper God intended for you to be in your marriage relationship. God created us the way we are for a unique purpose. Let’s explore that.

2 Comments

A Small Book for the Anxious Heart

3/31/2020

22 Comments

These are anxious times! The unknown is scary whether anxiety is something you struggle with on a daily basis or only on occasions that are unfamiliar and uncomfortable for everyone.

Most of us have at least a little anxiety right now thanks to COVID-19. But, God’s Word has a lot to say about feeling fearful and anxious. The following is an excerpt from A Small Book for the Anxious Heart by Edward T. Welch, a small but powerful devotional book to remind us of the encouraging, beautiful words in Scripture written to anxious people.

Don’t Be Anxious . . . Pray. This sounds too simple, doesn't it!?

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6

Don’t be anxious . . . PRAY!

22 Comments

From a Proverbs 31 Woman to a Titus 2 Woman

3/20/2020

12 Comments

From a Proverbs 31 Woman to a Titus 2 Woman

"Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Proverbs 31:30

When we read about the character traits of the Proverbs 31 Woman, we find that she is a virtuous, faithful woman who reverences her husband. She exhibits strength and endurance, is well-rounded, charitable, and provides well for her family. We also read that she is well-dressed, the wife of a good husband, honorable, wise, kind, and a good mother. She is praiseworthy, attains and excels at her goals, but most of all, we read that she fears the Lord!

12 Comments

Riding the Ferris Wheel of Circumstance

3/6/2020

8 Comments

A Ferris wheel goes round and round. Up to the top you ride feeling the wind in your face and seeing all the sights. To the bottom you go, hearing the giggles of delight and smelling delicious popcorn and cotton candy. Just as you really begin to enjoy yourself, you feel it come to a stop. As you exit through the gate, you consider purchasing another ticket because it went by way too quickly.

All of that would be true if you love rides and heights. I however, do not. The scene that I just described takes on a totally different tone and emotion for me.

8 Comments

Bearing Up One Another Through the Power of Prayer

3/3/2020

26 Comments

Bearing Up One Another Through the Power of Prayer: In chapter 5 of The Heart That Heals, we talk about bearing up others. It is a big deal, it's important that we are bearing up others in their brokenness.

In chapter 5 of The Heart That Heals, we talk about bearing up others. It is a big deal, it's important that we are bearing up others in their brokenness. We discuss several avenues for bearing up others in that chapter:

Praying For Others
Comforting Others
Loving Others as Christ Loves

We also talk about not growing weary while we bear up others. This is important as well.

If you'd like to read chapter 1 of The Heart That Heals: Healing Our Brokenness Through the Promises of God, you can do that here.

26 Comments

Perfection: Is It the Answer to All Our Problems?

2/28/2020

0 Comments

Perfection: Is It the Answer to All Our Problems?

Eve looked at Adam as they walked through the beautiful garden and thought how wonderful life was. It didn’t just seem perfect—it was perfect! The best thing about it all was their direct communion with God the Creator. Everything was new and wonderful. Adam and Eve were given total liberty in the garden except they were not to eat of the fruit of one tree. With access to a whole new world, surely being forbidden to eat of just one tree wouldn’t be a problem—or would it?

Eve was perfect after her creation. No other human has been perfect except for Adam and Jesus.

0 Comments