February 14th is a day set aside for lovers. It is a great day for couples to reaffirm their love for each other and give gifts to express that love. If this day does not apply to you ... STOP TRIPPIN'!

As a pastor, I have found myself discouraged. Seeing larger churches across my city, the nation, and even the world, in person or on TV, I often find myself in the trap of comparison, wanting God to use me in a great way like I see Him doing for others. But along the way, I have picked up a few encouraging things to remember when I find myself discouraged.

“Let's not create another generation of men who aren't allowed to speak from their hearts and share their fears. Speak life into the men in your life …”

“Many of us guise dissatisfaction with misguided ambition, thinking that we will find peace and joy in a bigger house, finer car, higher paying job, or broader platform. None of those things will bring us the one thing that will shake that feeling: contentment.”

“What are you worried about today? Will it still be a concern 5 years from now? If it is something from your past, can you change anything?”

“We live in a culture that values things, talents, and gifts, while simultaneously neglecting people.”

“God doesn't intend for our differences to divide us. Even in mathematics differences and division are two separate operations.”

You have been given a gift; a function to serve in this world. God gave it to you, for reasons that are all His own. It is very easy to look at what's been given to you generically, assuming it is the same thing others have been given.

No one knows how much you've grown, like you. You know exactly where you have come from, how you used to be, and how you have matured. You've changed.

There is a statement going around, that honestly makes me cringe just about every time I hear it. “They’re in their feelings.” It’s not so much the words that are spoken, it is usually the tone in which they are spoken. It usually sounds condescending, almost like mockery.