“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” Romans 15:4 (NIV)

Pastor, do you ever feel yourself weighed down by the demands of ministry?

Are the pressures of leading, counseling, and preaching taking a toll on your spirit?

Don’t retreat into isolation or settle for a quick, temporary fix, like binging on a favorite junk food.

Instead, pick up your Bible.

When you’re discouraged, you don’t need a coffee break. You need a Word break!

God gave you the Bible to encourage you.

One way you can think of the Bible is as a mood elevator.

The Bible says in Romans 15:4, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope” (NIV).

Take a closer look at that verse.

Four words stand out to me: “everything,” “Scriptures,” “encouragement,” and “hope.”

What does that mean? Everything in the Scriptures is for your encouragement and hope.

That’s a big statement—but it’s true!

Even the tough parts of God’s Word ultimately are there to encourage your life in the right direction.

That’s why you need to spend time alone with God every single day.

Don’t just get in the Word for sermon prep.

You need to get alone with God daily, read his Word, and talk with him.

The Message paraphrase of the Bible says, “You’re my place of quiet retreat; I wait for your Word to renew me” (Psalm 119:114 MSG).

The more you read God’s Word when you’re down, the more he lifts you up.

No matter how you’re feeling, you need to read God’s Word.

It is essential to your life!

The next time you feel discouraged, don’t go home and turn on the television. Instead, open your Bible and read it. 

God’s Word will give you true encouragement and hope because it has God’s power in it.

It has the power to change your life!