Are You Encouraged? - Episode 8

What if someone looked you in the eye and asked,

are you encouraged?

Not how are you? Or how's life?

But are you encouraged?

That's not something people usually say.

It almost feels awkward, right?

Because encouragement isn't small talk,

it's soul talk.

It makes you pause and ask,

wait,

am I?

Welcome to my question for you.

I'm Melissa, and each week we slow down long enough to ask one honest question that helps us reconnect with God.

And today's question is this.

Are you encouraged?

Because you could be moving in the right direction,

doing what God asked and still feel a little worn thin on the inside.

Last week we talked about stepping forward in faith.

This week we're learning how to keep going with hope.

A friend of mine once told me when he meets people,

he doesn't ask how they're doing.

He asks,

are you encouraged?

And when I heard that it hit something deep, it honestly gave me goosebumps. Because I often tell people,

be encouraged.

But hearing it phrased as a question,

as an invitation,

it stirred me.

Because it made me realize encouragement isn't a cliche.

It's a check in with your hope.

It made me think about what being encouraged really looks like.

Is it optimism? Is it faith?

Is it that quiet inner knowing that no matter what happens,

God's goodness still holds the story together?

Or maybe it's all of that if we turn to Scripture.

That question reminded me of Romans chapter 15, verse 13,

which says,

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,

so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Encouragement begins where trust lives.

As you trust God,

not after everything works out,

he fills you with joy,

peace, and hope that overflows.

Hope isn't wishful thinking,

it's divine confidence,

the quiet certainty that God's goodness is still unfolding even when you can't see it.

So if your heart feels a little drained today,

you don't need to fix yourself.

You just need a refill from the God of hope.

Maybe you've been showing up faithfully,

doing what God asked,

but the joy you started with has faded.

Maybe life feels like a long hallway where every door takes longer to open than you expected.

You are not alone.

Even prophets, apostles, and ordinary followers have felt the same fatigue.

One of those moments comes From Elijah in 1 Kings 19 he had just witnessed God send fire from heaven Victory.

But right after that,

fear and exhaustion hit him hard.

He ran into the wilderness,

sat under a tree, and said, I've had enough, Lord But God didn't scold him.

He sent an angel who said,

get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.

There beside him was bread and water.

Simple,

ordinary enough.

Elijah ate,

rested, and the Scripture says,

strengthened by that food,

he traveled 40 days and 40 nights.

That's encouragement in action.

God didn't change Elijah's calling.

He replenished his strength.

Sometimes encouragement isn't a miracle.

It's a meal.

It's rest.

It's the reminder that you're not done.

You're just tired.

And God knows exactly what you need to keep going.

Paul gives us a pattern for that kind of perseverance.

He says, be joyful in hope,

patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.

That's in Romans 12:12.

That's how hope stays alive.

Joy keeps your focus on God's promises.

Patience keeps you steady when results delay.

Prayer keeps you connected to the source.

Encouragement is built in that rhythm.

Joy,

patience,

prayer.

Repeat.

And here's the truth that seals it all.

From Romans 8:28. It says,

we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

All things.

Not some things, not the easy things,

but all things.

That means the delays,

the detours, the disappointments are being woven into something good.

That's why we can live with optimism.

Because even when life feels uncertain,

God's plan is never fragile.

He's still turning every thread toward good.

So let me ask you again.

Are you encouraged?

Maybe you're in the middle of something unfinished.

Maybe the promise hasn't happened yet.

Be encouraged anyway.

Not because everything's easy,

but because nothing is wasted.

God is still working for your good.

Hope isn't naive.

It's spiritual courage when you choose optimism rooted in faith. You're saying,

I believe God is still writing my story.

So here's how to stay encouraged this week.

Number one,

pause and remember what's true.

God is good and he is working.

Say it out loud whenever you find yourself forgetting that truth.

Number two,

protect your input.

Feed your mind with hope.

Scripture worship, quiet moments with God.

And number three,

pass it on.

Send someone a word of encouragement today.

Hope multiplies when it's shared.

I want you to write this down.

Where do I need to see God's goodness again?

And pray?

God of hope,

fill me with your joy and peace as I trust in you.

Help me overflow with hope and remind me that you are working all, all things together for my good friend.

Be encouraged even when life feels uncertain.

God's goodness is not on pause.

He's still writing hope into your story,

still turning the pages toward good,

and still filling you with strength for the journey ahead.

So this week, when the question rises in your heart, am I encouraged?

I want you to let your answers shine with hope.

I want you to say yes,

because God is with me and he's still working for my good.

Until next time,

keep asking,

keep listening and remember,

encouragement for your spirit and wisdom for your walk.

Before you go,

if this episode stirred something in you,

don't let it stop here.

Join the Growing My Question for you community at myquestionforyou.com and get my free Reflection Guide. It follows along with each weekly episode and gives you more ways to dive in and grow closer to God.

And you'll also get my weekly email called A Quiet Invitation, where you can take the conversation even deeper.

And if you believe someone else needs to hear this, I hope that you would please share it, tag it, or post it to your story.

Because every click and every share helps spread encouragement for the spirit and wisdom for the walk.