Have you ever had a really bad day? The kind of day where it feels like everything is going wrong, and you don’t know who to talk to? That’s exactly what happened to David in the Bible.
In 1 Samuel 30, David faced one of the hardest moments of his life. He was already running from danger, and then something even worse happened—his town was attacked, and his family and friends were taken. His own men, the people who were supposed to support him, were so upset that they talked about hurting him.
But David didn’t give up. He did something that changed everything. The Bible says:
“But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” — 1 Samuel 30:6 (KJV)
This verse is short, but it’s powerful. It shows us what to do when life gets really tough. In this blog, we’ll learn how David found strength, how we can do the same, and how God can help us no matter what we’re going through.
What Happened in 1 Samuel 30:6?
Let’s break it down. David and his men had been away. When they came back to their home in a place called Ziklag, they found it burned down. The Amalekites, a group of enemies, had attacked. They took everyone—wives, children, and all their belongings.
Can you imagine how that felt? Everything was gone.
The men were so sad and angry that they cried until they couldn’t cry anymore. Then, they blamed David and wanted to stone him (that means they wanted to kill him by throwing stones). He was their leader, and now they thought it was all his fault.
David was hurt, tired, and afraid. But instead of giving up or getting angry, he made a choice. The Bible says he “encouraged himself in the Lord.” That means David remembered who God is. He talked to God. He found new strength—not from people, but from the One who never leaves.
What Does It Mean to Encourage Yourself in the Lord?
Encouraging yourself in the Lord means this:
You talk to God when things feel really hard.
You remind yourself of God’s promises.
You remember that God is still with you, even if everything feels lost.
You stop looking at your problems and start looking at God’s power.
It’s like turning on a flashlight in a dark room. The room doesn’t go away, but now you can see the way forward.
David didn’t wait for someone else to cheer him up. He encouraged himself. That means we can do it too—even if no one else understands what we’re feeling.
In the Bible, many people did this:
In Psalm 42:5, David asks, “Why are you sad, my soul? Hope in God!”
In Habakkuk 3, the prophet says, “Even if there’s no food or harvest, I will still rejoice in the Lord.”
That’s real faith—choosing to believe even when things don’t make sense.
5 Simple Ways David Found Strength in the Lord (And You Can Too)
When David was heartbroken and afraid, he didn’t stay stuck in that place. He didn’t run away or scream at the people around him. Instead, he did something strong—he encouraged himself in the Lord. That means he chose to trust God, even when everything around him looked like it was falling apart.
Let’s look at five things David did to find his strength again—and how you can do them too.
1. He Remembered God’s Promises
David had been told a long time ago that he would be king one day. That promise came from God, and even though things looked bad, David chose to remember what God had said.
Why it matters:
When you’re sad or scared, remembering what God has promised you helps your heart feel strong again. You might not be a king like David, but God has made promises to you too.
Try this:
Write down your favorite Bible verses or moments when God helped you before. When life feels hard, read them out loud to remind yourself that God is still working.
2. He Refused to Stay in Despair
David was in deep pain. His town was destroyed. His family was taken. His friends turned against him. But David didn’t stay down. He made a choice—he said, “I’m going to trust God.”
Why it matters:
Sometimes, we can’t control what happens around us. But we can control how we respond. David didn’t pretend things were okay—he just decided not to give up.
Try this:
Say out loud, “I will trust God. I will not give up.” Keep speaking hope and truth over yourself, even if you don’t feel strong right away.
3. He Sought God in Prayer
After encouraging himself, David didn’t go off to fix things by himself. He went to God in prayer. He asked God what to do next.
Why it matters:
Prayer is how we talk to God. When we pray, we’re not alone anymore. We invite the most powerful Helper into our situation.
Try this:
Even if you’re upset, talk to God like a friend. Tell Him everything. Then pause and ask, “God, what should I do next?” You don’t need fancy words—He listens to every word from your heart.
4. He Asked God What to Do Next
David didn’t just cry and pray—he waited to hear from God. In 1 Samuel 30:8, David asked, “Should I go after the enemies?” And God answered, “Yes. You will win and get everything back.”
Why it matters:
God wants to help you make good choices. But sometimes, we have to ask Him before we act. When we listen to God, He leads us in the best direction.
Try this:
Before making a big decision—like sending a text, making a choice, or reacting—pause and ask God for help. He wants to guide you.
5. He Took Action in Faith
After God said, “Go,” David got up and moved. He didn’t wait for everything to be easy. He trusted God and went forward—and God helped him recover everything that was lost.
Why it matters:
Faith is not just believing—it’s doing something with what God says. David showed his trust by taking bold steps, even when he didn’t know exactly how it would end.
Try this:
What’s one small step you can take today to move forward? Maybe it’s forgiving someone, praying, calling a friend, or helping someone in need. Do it with faith, and watch how God meets you in that step.
Now you’ve learned five simple, powerful ways that David encouraged himself in the Lord. These aren’t just Bible lessons—they are life tools you can use every single day.
What to Do When You Need to Encourage Yourself Today
Sometimes, no one knows what you’re going through. The day feels heavy. You feel alone. But guess what? You don’t have to stay in that place. You can do what David did. You can encourage yourself in the Lord.
Here are a few practical things you can do right now to lift your heart and feel God’s strength:
1. Speak God’s Word Over Your Life
God’s Word is powerful. When you say His promises out loud, it helps your heart believe them.
Try This:
Say out loud:
“God is with me.”
“I am not alone.”
“He gives me strength when I feel weak.”
Even one verse can change your day.
2. Worship Even When It’s Hard
Worship isn’t just for Sundays. It’s a gift for tough times, too. When we sing or speak about God’s goodness, our sadness starts to shrink, and His peace grows bigger in our hearts.
Try This:
Put on a worship song that talks about God’s love or His help. Sing along—even if your voice shakes. Worship opens your heart to hope.
3. Remember How God Helped You Before
Look back on times when God came through for you. Maybe it was a job, a healing, a friend, or a moment of peace. That same God is with you now.
Try This:
Write down three times God helped you. Read them when you feel discouraged.
4. Don’t Be Alone—Talk to God
It’s okay to feel sad. But don’t carry it all by yourself. Talk to God. He loves you, and He’s ready to listen—any time, any place.
Try This:
Pray something simple like:
“God, I feel tired. But I know You are strong. Help me today. Help me to believe again.”
Encouraging Bible Verses Like 1 Samuel 30:6
Need a little extra boost? Here are some powerful Bible verses you can read and say out loud:
Psalm 27:14
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
Isaiah 41:10
“Do not fear, for I am with you… I will strengthen you and help you.”
2 Corinthians 4:8–9
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed… struck down, but not destroyed.”
Joshua 1:9
“Be strong and courageous… the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What does it mean to encourage yourself in the Lord?
A: It means choosing to turn to God for help, strength, and hope—especially when life feels heavy or confusing.
Q: How did David deal with personal pain?
A: David didn’t pretend it didn’t hurt. But he chose to talk to God, remember God’s promises, and follow God’s direction. He trusted that God was bigger than the problem.
Q: Can I do the same when I feel overwhelmed?
A: Yes! Just like David, you can speak God’s truth, pray, worship, and trust Him to give you strength—even if your heart feels weak.
Conclusion—You Can Encourage Yourself in the Lord Too
You may not be a king or a warrior like David, but you serve the same powerful, loving God. And He’s with you right now.
When everything around you feels broken, you don’t have to break too.
When others let you down, God still lifts you up.
When it feels like there’s no hope left, God whispers, “I am your hope.”
So today, take a deep breath and say with faith:
“I will encourage myself in the Lord. He is my strength.”
