You Go Girl!

Sharon JaynesConfidence in Christ, Friendship, Listening to God, Power of Words 74 Comments

Sharon Jaynes Blog Post

Have you ever felt like you just wanted to quit this thing called the “great race” of life? That’s your spiritual legs ache and you would much rather sit on the side of the road and have a good pity party than take one more step. I certainly have. And then I think of my nephew Stu and his mom, Pat.

Stu ran cross-country when he was in high school, but the most exciting parts of the races was his mother cheering. At one particular race, my family and I stood on the sidelines, watching legs stretch, backs bend, and arms swing in an effort to warm up. Seventy anxious young men clustered around the starting line in ready position. The shot fired into the air and the herd of boys began their 3.1 mile run through the woods.

As soon as Stu’s foot left the starting position, his mother picked up her thirty-six-inch megaphone and began to yell louder than any woman I have ever heard.

“GO STU!” she cheered, not once but at ten second intervals. When he was out of sight, she ran to another strategic spot along the winding trail where the runners would eventually pass by. And even though the boys were nowhere in sight, Pat continued to cheer, “GO STU!”

After the race, I asked, “Stu, when you are running on that trail in the woods, can you hear your mother cheering for you?”

“Oh yes,” he answered.  “I can hear her the whole way.”

“And what does that do for you?”

“It makes me not want to quit,” he replied. “When my legs ache and lungs burn, when I feel like I’m going to throw up, I hear my mom’s voice cheering for me and it makes me not want to stop.”

Jesus was the master of cheering from the sidelines—encouraging his disciples to keep running the great race, especially when they felt that they might want to quit.

“Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:6-8). In other words, “You can do it! I believe in you!” Go. Preach. Heal. Raise. Cleanse.

Before His ascension He encouraged them again, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20). I believe in you! You can do it! Go! Teach! Baptize!

Then in one startling statement of encouragement He said, “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12). Jesus wasn’t simply encouraging the disciples by telling them they would have an even greater reach than He had, He was encouraging you and me as well.

Paul tells us to encourage each other just as Jesus encouraged His disciples: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV).

A few years later, when my son became a cross-country runner, I learned a few facts about a foot race. As you near the end of a race, your throat burns, your legs ache, and your whole body cries out for you to stop. That’s when friends and fans are the most valuable. Their encouragement helps you push through the pain to the finish.

That’s the power of a woman’s words. That’s the power of your words. An uplifting word, offered at the right moment, might make the difference between someone finishing well or collapsing along the way. Give it! Shout it! Cheer others on!

And here’s the bonus…Jesus is still cheering for you. As a matter of fact, you are surrounded by a whole cloud of heavenly witnesses that are cheering for you today (Hebrews 12:1-3). You go girl!

Father, thank You for the heavenly host that cheers for me every day. Thank You for cheering for me every day. Help me to be an encourager who cheers others on in the great race of life and not a discourager who trips them up. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Who is one person that has been an encourager to you? Think of one person that needs encouragement today and reach out with an encouraging word through a text, email, or phone call. And just for fun…leave their name in the comments.

Power of a Woman's Words Sharon Jaynes

 

My, best-selling book and study guide, The Power of a Woman’s Words: How the Words You Speak Shape the Lives of Others is a game changer. Words echo in hearts and minds long after they are spoken. How will we use this gift? Your words can change the course of someone’s day…even someone’s life. This study is a steady favorite with women’s Bible studies all around the world.

 

 

 

 

 

© 2022 by Sharon Jaynes. All rights reserved.

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Comments 74

  5. Mary, was my constant encourager, in heaven now, yet I feel her presence.
    Melissa is who I will encourage today.

    Reply

  10. Encouragement for a very sweet friend who is caring for her precious husband who has many health problems!

    Lord, thank you for Dale and her sweet countenance. She never complains but I can tell she’s overwhelmed by being a caretaker. Please continue to speak to her, hold her and remind her, she has friends who will continue to support her in any way possible. Amen

    Reply

  14. Thank you for the encouragement and the reminder. God is so good. Just a few of the women who have encouraged me are Edna, Alice, Carol, Lynn, Debbie, Karla, Lura, and Cindy-and of course Sharon. And there are also many nameless women who have been kind or encouraging when I needed it. God bless them all.

    Reply

  20. Olivia, she’s recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. She sends me daily messages and I’ve been trying to encourage her as often as I can remember (truthfully) with scripture, quotes, etc. thank you for this. May God continue to bless you to be a blessing to others.

    Reply

  22. My 3 sisters have always been there for me! I don’t know what I would have done without them to love me, encourage me and prop me up when I didn’t feel I could take another step!

    Reply

  23. Ally – she needs a lot of encouragement as just settles our father’s estate with obstacles from other family members.

    Reply

  26. The biggest encourager in my Christian Walk/Faith is Sylvia Kalau and Sabine Musselwhite. Sylvia is my Pastors wife and Sabine is a German Missionary at my Church. There is also Pastor Edmund Kalau and his wife Elizabeth. They are Sylvia’s parents in law. Then there is my mom, Grandma, and Patti Pedrus my friend/relative. There are others like my friends in Hilo, Hawaii: Lena Asano, Rachel Robinson, and Uluhani Waialea. There is also Eileen Mackenzie my friend from my PMF Church. And there is MaryJo Fullerton a Pastor at New Hope affiliated Church in Hilo, Hawaii, Pastor Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries, Christina Patterson from Beloved Women Ministries, Billy Graham from Billy Graham Ministries, and of course you, Sharon Jayne. All these people have really influenced me and brought me closer to God. They are the reason why I have hope, faith, and trust in God. They taught me about Jesus and Christian friendship/walk that the truth was revealed to me. Veils lifted because God used them and you to be instrumental in my walk with Jesus. Thank you Lord Jesus for putting these people in my path.

    Reply

    1. Oh! I forgot Pastor Wayne Cordeiro of New Hope Oahu Church in Hawaii. Also, would like to give credit to Pohnpei SDA School for giving/teaching me a Bible education. They Kinda gave me a Christian foundation and would encourage me to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. All my teachers from Elementary to High School at Pohnpei SDA school have cheered me on and encouraged me to be a better person. And also to Mr. and Mrs. Penner and Mr. and Mrs. Quaile, the Principals who saw potential in me and made sure I passed all my classes and helped me graduate.

      Reply

      1. I forgot Pastor Nob who is Sylvia’s husband. He made church more interesting. Also, Daily Bread Ministries, my mornings brighter because I have a tool to worship Jesus. Also, New Hope Hilo. They helped me understand that I am saved and a child of God. (I was an idiot). I also was encouraged to be baptized and I did with my Cleansing Streams group. This old Japanese lady, Dorothy was always an encouragement. And can’t forget my old lady friends I would sit with for breakfast and dinner. They protected me from menacing men and talked story. They were my companions.

        Reply

        1. Also Salvation Army in Hilo, Hawaii. My Oakdale, California friends and my American parents. I also can’t forget my Aunty Merly and Aunty Lola. Pastor Trudy and Pastor Scott and ICF Church friends. Also, my Aunt Meilani. I also owe Pastor Rulenz a big one. He was God’s tool in healing me. My SDA friends also.

          Reply

  27. Pray for Shayne. Encourage him to keep moving forward.. Let this day be a day of restoration. God will plant a seed in his Heart, soul, mind and body. Give Shayne the endurance to run the race. His angels and the Spirit of God be with him every step of the way. I Love you!

    Reply

  34. What a timely message, That a word of encouragement can actually be a turning point for someone. My sister needs to hear this, Thankyou for sharing.

    Reply

  36. My dear friend and mentor Deb has always been a great encourager to me so I pray she would be blessed and encouraged today!

    Reply

  42. My sister has always encouraged me. She is three years older and I am truly blessed to have had her as my sister/cheerleader.
    My oldest son Matthew, 25. Was a born soldier. He loves anything to do with war history and is a proud patriot of America. He quickly joined the JrROTC and wanted a career in the military. God seems to have other plans for him and he has been marked permanently non/eligible because at 7 he was diagnosed with ADHD had some anger issues and was honest about his evaluation. He has been devastated and lost so to speak for the past 6 years. I have been encouraging, praying and even at times used the pull up your boot straps and move on attempt. We need some prayers and hope for him to see the good future God has in store for him. Thank you.

    Reply

  43. My oldest son Matthew, 25. Was a born soldier. He loves anything to do with war history and is a proud patriot of America. He quickly joined the JrROTC and wanted a career in the military. God seems to have other plans for him and he has been marked permanently non/eligible because at 7 he was diagnosed with ADHD had some anger issues and was honest about his evaluation. He has been devastated and lost so to speak for the past 6 years. I have been encouraging, praying and even at times used the pull up your boot straps and move on attempt. We need some prayers and hope for him to see the good future God has in store for him. Thank you.

    Reply

  44. Kris, Janet, Laura, Jill, Pam, Ed, Jenny, Miriam, Guy, Kim and their families. So many health issues going on. Thank you, Sharon. I look forward to your posts.

    Reply

  45. Kim, Donna, Sharon, Lucretia, Deb, Gwen
    God turned my frown around this morning! So thankful for his word and spending time with Him!

    Reply

  47. Rosalind
    Shimika
    DuJuan
    God thank you for being my biggest encouraging in spite of me. I am forever Thankful for all you do. Amen

    Reply

  49. I will encourage my friend Elizabeth who has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. A big blow to everyone , we never saw this coming.I prayed with her and she accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior which is great because she is Hindu. I asked her to read Philippians 4, and yo my surprise and happiness she asked me to explain some things to her .I then explained the story of Paul to her , and made her understand that he was in prison while writing that letter, though he was chained, but the word of God is not chained .Please pray for her to continue on this path and to have a successful surgery which is scheduled for the 11th of July. I also pray for myself to put others first , to have patience as i wait for our ABBA Father to answer my prayers, and to continue praying , and praising Him in Jesus Holy , Powerful, and Matchless name Amen!

    Reply

  58. my encouragers are all the nurses in the local emergency dept there an awesome bunch of folks
    I will encourage dear Martha

    Reply

    1. Soo blessed with this piece ,Sharon, thank u sis.
      Encouragement from
      My husband Biodun
      My children David, Daniel and Dennis
      Friends,Funmi, Ife ,Biola,Yinka,Sade

      Reply

  60. Brother Jimmy
    Carol
    Elaine, Lynn
    Cole, Dallas, Tonya, Cooper
    Sharon, David
    Dawn, Phil
    Bill, Marsha
    Kevin, Amy, Dalton, Blake
    Missi

    Reply

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