We’re Better Together

According to Wake Up to the Word by Joyce Meyer, empowered is defined as "Authorized, having legal or moral right."

I'll provide some context from the devotional; Joyce writes

"The Spirit of God is great than any attack of the devil.  Don't be afraid of the enemy; be confident of the power of God in your life."

Encouragement is powerful. When we lift each other up, we can face whatever challenges come our way—yes, even the relentless attacks from the enemy.

When I first set out to achieve sobriety, I tried to go it alone. I wouldn’t recommend it. Sure, I stayed sober for a while, but eventually, I convinced myself I could drink again. I thought I was “cured.” Spoiler alert: I wasn’t. What I’ve learned since then is that community is absolutely vital.

Having people around who understand what you’re going through makes all the difference. For me, helping others—whether it’s sharing in a meeting or chatting before and after—actually helps me stay sober. I might not be able to control whether someone else stays sober, but I can offer encouragement, and that matters.

I’ve seen this truth in other areas of life, too. Recently, we’ve had some new folks join our CrossFit gym. One of them asked me what keeps me coming back, and without hesitation, I said, “The people.” The Steadfast family is truly special. I’ll never forget the time a coach texted me asking why he hadn’t seen me in class. At first, I thought I’d somehow offended him, but nope—he genuinely cared. The coaches aren’t just there to cheer us on during workouts; they care about us as people, even if we’re going through tough times outside the gym.

I recently read a fantastic article by Lisa Masiello about encouragement, and I can’t recommend it enough. Whether you need a boost yourself or you want to lift someone else up, her piece is full of practical tips and uplifting Bible verses. You can find it here.

One last thing—just a friendly reminder that there won’t be a Sunday blog post this week. Aside from my morning AA meeting, I don’t have much on the calendar, but I keep Sundays for family time.

We’re better together, friends. Keep encouraging each other—you never know the difference you might make.

Resources:

Ryan Robinson Blogging Tools

Wake Up to the Word by Joyce Meyer

Lisa Masiello

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