There’s nothing new under the sun, says the old wise king Solomon. He was very right about that. When I think of the many women and men today who feel terrible about themselves, I shake my head. Some have taken to depression, because they feel like they are not good enough, they will never be someone who others admire, appreciate or consider as one of them in the society. Others turn to bad eating habits, which include, overeating or eating less. All because someone out there, told them they were skinny, fat, or nothing.

The people in our lives are the ones we consider as loved ones, close friends and our support system. They are the ones who encourage us, empower us and push us to be better. However, if all we ever get out of them are negative comments which destroy our self-image, confidence and potentials, then these are not people we should keep, unless they are your family members and you can do nothing about them, except to forgive them

Nothing we go through today is new, for people in the past have experienced it as well. At this point, I would like to direct us not to a negative example, but a positive example of people we should have in our lives.  Joshua was a “young” warrior, who had just had his master Moses taken from him. He was appointed the new leader of Israel and given the task to take the Israelite across the Jordan River into the Promise Land. He was told to be strong and courageous, and God promised in Joshua 1:5 that “No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, So I will be with you:I will never leave you nor forsake you.” This is a mighty promise, which God kept. I often put myself in Joshua’s spot, assimilating the words as mine. However, I was very much moved by what the warriors said to him.

He talked to the tribes that already had their lands to the East of Jordan. They had promised to help their brothers claim their own lands when time came for them to occupy it. What gives me pride about these people, is that they said to Joshua, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. ONLY MAY THE LORD your God be with you as he was with Moses” Joshua 1:16-17. How I see this, is that these men knew that Joshua was their chosen leader, who had commanded them as a warrior and led them through many battles. They didn’t look to his skills as a warrior, but pledged their lives to him, as long as God was the one leading and guiding him as he did Moses. They were willing to lay down their lives for him as long as he was doing what God had called him to do. Those were the friends and support system he had.

I have many wonderful people in my life, who have been there for me, encouraging me to be who God has called me to be. They have been praying for me, with me and have never given up on my dreams and visions for the future. They knew and still know that as long as God was/is leading me and guiding me, nothing would be impossible for me. I thank God each and everyday for the prayer warriors he has placed around me. My grandmother has never stopped believing in what God has called me to do and she has not complained about the amount of time and effort she has spent sending me through school. Although we have no specific fruits and results for all love and care she has shown me, she has not stopped encouraging me, providing for me and loving me as well as praying for me. My mother, although far away from me, she wipes my tears over the phone, when I feel like I am not worthy and confident enough to carry out my mission. In her voice, I am able to hear God’s voice, letting me know that I can trust him and letting me know that he sees and cares. The warm hugs I get from my friends and the smiles they have when they see me, encourages me and lifts my spirits, letting me know that it is not the end. Things will work out even if the world seems to say otherwise.

These people in my life have empowered the woman I am today, and like Joshua, I am grateful to have them. I am not afraid of what they will think of me, because I know that they will always love me and encourage me as long as I am doing what God has called me to do. It doesn’t matter what others say about you if you are doing what God has called you to do. If you are trusting that he will never leave you nor forsake you, then he will put people around you who will become your support system and encourage you through prayers, songs, laughter and a good time. God is with you through the people he places in your life that are meant to encourage you and be there for you. They should be able to make you laugh, when all you want to do is cry, and they should be able to say you are beautiful, even when you have makeup smeared all over your face. They should be able to tell you that you are loved and precious when everyone else says NO, because you and I are made in God’s image and we are precious. Who are the people in your life? Do they encourage you or put you down?