Encouragement In The Times Of Adversity

This episode is on the topic of encouraging others during tough times of adversity. 
 
Introduction
I discuss the life of Elijah after defeating the prophets of Baal and then flees from Jezebel for fear of his life and is in a moment of weakness begging God to take his life. Yet God encourages him in I Kings 19:4
 
Ever been a time when you knew of a battle you were facing and praying for an answer to come through it and feel relief and let you guard down, when BOOM, a sneak attack by Satan. Well, you aren't alone.

Definition: Encourage- to inspire with courage, spirit or hope. An attempt to persuade or urge. To fill with courage or strength for the purpose of raising one's confidence. It implies instilling life, energy or vigor into something or someone.
Strength- to make stronger

Proverbs 27:17" As iron sharpens iron,
So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend."
Describe the process of sharpening a sword by a blacksmith.

The need for an armor bearer. A prime example is King Saul's son, Jonathan, and his armor bearer and the battle against the Philistines in I Samuel 14.

Exodus 17:8-13 talks about Aaron and Hur lifting Moses' arms during the battle with the Amalekites.
Isaiah 35:3 Strengthen the weak hands,
And make firm the feeble knees.
4 Say to those who are fearful-hearted,
“Be strong, do not fear!
Behold, your God will come with vengeance,
With the recompense of God;
He will come and save you.”

I Samuel 30- David and his soldiers discouraged after returning from the battle to see wives and children taken.
Psalms 27:14 Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!

Psalms 20:1-4
 1 May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble;
May the name of the God of Jacob defend you;
2 May He send you from the sanctuary,
And strengthen you out of Zion;
3 May He remember all your offerings,
And accept your burnt sacrifice.
4 May He grant you according to your heart’s desire,
And fulfill all your purpose.

Psalms 68:28
28 Your God has commanded your strength;
Strengthen, O God, what You have done for us.

Psalms 86:6 & 7
6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
And attend to the voice of my supplications.
7 In the day of my trouble I will call upon You,
For You will answer me.

Psalms 31:24 Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart,
All you who hope in the Lord.

Deuteronomy 3:28 But command Joshua, and encourage him and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you will see.’

I Thessalonians 3:1-10

Luke 22:31-32
 31 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

I Peter 5:6-10
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
Samson in Judges 16:28

When encouragement is actually a discouragement look at Job and his friends during his season of testing.

The one scripture that always brings us strength and encouragement in Christ.
Philippians 4:13
13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Song is "It's All Happening" by Huma