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Writer's pictureKeri

Be an Encourager + Our Best Ally

Can you ponder for a moment the challenge of a change in leadership?

Perhaps we’ve all experienced the powerful, inspired, golden years of a gifted, experienced leader – when the wheels are well greased and the machine moves in perfect harmony and there is balance in the force.

I think we all have also experienced the bumpy beginnings of a new leader’s term – a new teacher at school, a new coach, a new manager at work, a new mayor, governor, president – when he or she is metaphorically learning how to drive and we are all along for the white-knuckle gripping ride.

Or maybe you have been that new leader, and you know there is SO MUCH you do not know. You know how great the previous leader was and you feel you are the epitome of lack. The human you are and the leader you want to be are so far away from each other, the gap feels daunting and exhausting.

I’ve been studying Joshua in the Bible this week. Joshua was called to lead the children of Israel after Moses. Moses had been leading the people for 40 YEARS, performing miracles, wearying the Lord with his prayers, and growing in meekness. Moses was the leader in the wilderness, and Joshua was now called to be the leader in battle.

Joshua 1 is where God shows up as what Emily Freeman on the Don’t Miss This podcast calls, “The Encourager.” God tells Joshua, “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.” Joshua is told a similar message at least two more times. Joshua has this new mantle upon him, has a HUGE task to undertake, and he knows he is not Moses. I love that God showed up as someone saying: Don’t be afraid. I’m with you! Now let’s GO!

I was thinking about what it means to be an encourager and I stumbled on this podcast called “Art of Manliness” and and interview with Antonio Neves where he shares, “The 5 Allies Every Man Needs.” Neves proposes that self-improvement lies not only in changing habits, but crucially in developing strategic, powerful, and supportive relationships.

Neves categorized people and the relationships we have with them as being either “Allies” and “Thieves.”

Allies: “they encourage you, they inspire you, they challenge you, they push you, and they hold you accountable to be the best version of yourself.”

Thieves: Don’t do any of the above. Neves calls them “thieves of ambition.”

The five allies every man needs? Encourager, Playmaker, Facilitator, Rock, and Bruiser.

I love riffing on this idea, looking at these allies from the perspective of how God has played each role and how he is the BEST ally for us!

For Joshua, God encouraged, saying, “I will not fail thee nor forsake thee. BE strong and of a good courage.” (Joshua 1:5-6)

For Noah, God was the Playmaker, (decision maker, moving forward, energy), saying, “The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them…make thee an ark of gopher wood…with thee will I establish my covenant.” (Genesis 6:13-14,18) God told Noah exactly how to build the ark and he acted on his word.

For Moses, God was the Facilitator, (sees the big picture, gives sound guidance), saying, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are I Egypt, and have heard their cry…and I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.” (Exodus 3:7-8). God facilitated their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, providing water and manna and a light to guide them.

For the apostles in the boat on the stormy sea, Jesus Christ was the Rock, (“that person that when all hell is breaking loose, that they’re that person that helps remind you what’s most important and to provide you with perspective.”) Jesus said, “Peace, be still…Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?” (Mark 4:39-40) He was reminding them to believe in his power!

For the brother of Jared, God was the Bruiser, (reminding him of the plan, holding him accountable), saying, “I will forgive thee and thy brethren of their sins; but thou shalt not sin anymore, for ye shall remember that my Spirit will not always strive with man…go to work and build.” (Ether 2:15-16) The Jaredites had sat on the seashore for 4 years! Their initial goal was not the seashore, it was the Promised Land! God was reminding them of their goal and holding them accountable.

Can you think of other examples from the scriptures where God was one of these allies to someone?

My takeaways:

Be an ally for others, not a thief. I want my friends to think, “I feel energized, loved, and filled after being around Keri.”

See how I can encourage others, inspire them, challenge and push, and hold others accountable. I realize I am really a Bruiser with my kids! I would like to try to also be an Encourager and Facilitator more often than I am a bruiser.

My Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ are my perfect allies! They can be who I need them to be when I need them…I need only to ASK! Right now, I need them to be Encouragers, so I really like their words to Joshua. I have been saying those words to my kids when they leave for school: “BE STRONG AND OF A GOOD COURAGE! BE NOT AFRAID NEITHER BE THOU DISMAYED FOR THE LORD THY GOD IS WITH THEE WITHERSOEVER THOU GOEST.”

Thank you, my Dear Father, for being with me.

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