Find encouragement in uplifting, heart touching, encouraging stories
that will remind you that God is in control of all that happens in your life,
and of how much love God has for you.
Short Encouraging Stories And Uplifting Writings
Page 1
Encouraging Stories
Encouraging Stories - #1
You Just Never Know
Author Unknown
I was walking down a dimly lit street late one evening when I heard
muffled screams coming from behind a clump of bushes. Alarmed, I
slowed down to listen, and panicked when I realized that what I was
hearing were the unmistakable sounds of a struggle: heavy grunting,
frantic scuffling, and tearing of fabric. Only yards from where I stood,a woman was being attacked. Should I get involved? I was frightened for my own safety, and cursed myself for having suddenly decided to take a new route home that night. What if I became another statistic? Shouldn't I just run to the nearest phone and call the police?
Although it seemed an eternity, the deliberations in my head had taken
only seconds, but already the girl's cries were growing weaker. I knew I had to act fast. How could I walk away from this? No, I finally resolved, I could not turn my back on the fate of this unknown woman, even if it meant risking my own life.
I am not a brave man, nor am I athletic. I don't know where I found the moral courage and physical strength, but once I had finally resolved to help the girl, I became strangely transformed. I ran behind the bushes and pulled the assailant off the woman. Grappling, we fell to the ground, where we wrestled for a few minutes until the attacker jumped up and escaped.
Panting hard, I scrambled upright and approached the girl,
who was crouched behind a tree, sobbing. In the darkness, I could barely see her outline, but I could certainly sense her trembling shock. Not wanting to frighten her further, I at first
spoke to her from a distance.
"It's OK," I said soothingly. "The man ran away. You're safe now."
There was a long pause................. and then I heard the words, uttered in wonder,in amazement.
"Daddy, is that you?"
And then, from behind the tree, stepped my youngest daughter, Katherine.
You just never know........
Encouraging Stories - #2
How Much Does A Prayer Weigh?
Author Unknown
Louise Redden, a poorly dressed lady with a look of defeat on her face,
walked into a grocery store. She approached the owner of the store in a most
humble manner and asked if he would let her charge a few groceries. She
softly explained that her husband was very ill and unable to work, they had
seven children and they needed food.
John Longhouse, the grocer, scoffed at her and requested that she leave his
store. Visualizing the family needs, she said: "Please, sir! I will bring you the
money just as soon as I can." John told her he could not give her credit, as she
did not have a charge account at his store.
Standing beside the counter was a
customer who overheard the conversation between the two. The customer walked
forward and told the grocer that he would stand good for whatever she needed
for her family. The grocer said in a very reluctant voice, "Do you
have a grocery list? Louise replied, "Yes sir" "O.K." he said, "put your
grocery list on the scales and whatever your grocery list weighs,
I will give you that amount in groceries." Louise, hesitated a moment with a
bowed head, then she reached into her purse and took out a piece of
paper and scribbled something on it. She then laid the piece of paper on the scale
carefully with her head still bowed.
The eyes of the grocer and the customer showed
amazement when the scales went down and stayed down. The grocer,
staring at the scales, turned slowly to the customer and said begrudgingly, "I
can't believe it." The customer smiled and the grocer started putting
the groceries on the other side of the scales. The scale did not balance
so he continued to put more and more groceries on them until
the scales would hold no more. The grocer stood there in utter disgust.
Finally, he grabbed the piece of paper from the scales and looked at
it with greater amazement. It was not a grocery list, it was a prayer
which said: "Dear Lord, you know my needs and I am leaving this in
your hands."
The grocer gave her the groceries that he had gathered and stood in
stunned silence. Louise thanked him and left the store. The customer handed a fifty-dollar bill to the grocer and said, "It was worth every penny of it." It was sometime later that the grocer discovered the
scales were broken, therefore, only God knows how much a prayer weighs.
Encouraging Stories - #3
Things Aren't Always What They Seem
Author Unknown
Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was rude
and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion's guest room. Instead the angels were given a small
space in the cold basement. As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the
wall and repaired it. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied,
"Things aren't always what they seem"
The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife.
After sharing what little food they had the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could
have a good night's rest. When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife
in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field. The younger angel
was infuriated and asked the older angel how could you have let this happen?
The first man had everything, yet you helped him, she accused. The second family had little but was willing
to share everything, and you let the cow die.
"Things aren't always what they seem,"the older angel replied.
"When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall.
Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall
so he wouldn't find it." "Then last night as we slept in the farmers bed, the angel of death came for his wife.
I gave him the cow instead.
"Things aren't always what they seem."
Encouraging Stories - #4
Remember The Duck
Author Unknown
There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. And he was given a slingshot to play without in the woods. he practiced in the woods, but he could never hit the target. And getting a little discouraged, he headed back to dinner. As he was walking back he saw Grandma's pet duck. Just out of impulse, he let fly, hit the duck square in the head, and killed it. He was shocked and grieved. In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the woodpile, only to see his sister watching. Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing.
After lunch that day Grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the dishes." But Sally said, "Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen today, didn't you Johnny?" And then she whispered to him, "Remember, the duck?" So Johnny did the dishes. Later Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing, and Grandma said, "I'm sorry but I need Sally to help make supper." But Sally smiled and said, "Well, that's all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help." And she whispered again, "Remember, the duck?" So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed. After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's, he finally couldn't stand it any longer. He came to Grandma and confessed that he killed the duck. She knelt down, gave him a hug, and said, "Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing. But because I love you, I forgave you. But I was just wondering how long would you let Sally make a slave of you."
I don't know what's in your past. I don't know what one sin the enemy keeps throwing up in your face. But whatever it is, I want you to know something. Jesus Christ was standing at the window. And He saw the whole thing. But because He loves you, He has forgiven you. Perhaps He's wondering how long you'll let the enemy make a slave out of you. The great thing about God is that He not only forgives, but He forgets!!!
Encouraging Stories - #5
Why would God want ME?
Author Unknown
I'm not perfect. I have all kinds of problems. I have no ability. I have no gifts. I'm just not worthy. Why would God want me?
Well, did you know that
Moses stuttered.
David's armor didn't fit.
John Mark deserted Paul.
Timothy had ulcers.
Hosea's wife was a prostitute.
Amos' only training was in the school of fig-tree pruning.
Jacob was a liar.
David had an affair.
Solomon was too rich.
Jesus was too poor.
Abraham was too old.
David was too young.
Peter was afraid of death.
Lazarus was dead.
John was self-righteous.
Naomi was a widow.
Paul was a persecutor of the church.
Moses was a murderer.
Jonah ran from God's will.
Miriam was a gossip.
Gideon and Thomas both doubted.
Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal.
Elijah was burned out.
John the Baptist was a loudmouth.
Martha was a worry-wart.
Noah got drunk.
Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse?
So did Peter, Paul - well, lots of folks did.
But God doesn't require a job interview for salvation. He's our Heavenly Father.
He doesn't look at financial gain or loss. He's not prejudiced or
partial, not judging, grudging, sassy, or brassy, not deaf to our cry, not blind to our need.
He know who we are and what we are and loves us in spite of ourselves
SATAN SAYS, "YOU'RE NOT WORTHY."
JESUS SAYS, "SO WHAT? I AM."
SATAN LOOKS BACK AND SEES OUR MISTAKES.
GOD LOOKS BACK AND SEES THE CROSS.
He doesn't calculate how you failed in '99. It's not even on the record.
Sure, there are lots of reasons why God shouldn't call us. But if we are in love with Him, if we hunger for Him, He'll use us in spite of who we are, where we've been, what we have done, or the fact that we are not perfect!
Encouraging Stories - #6
Is Your Hut Burning?
Author Unknown
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small,
uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he
scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.
Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of
driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions.
But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home
to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The
worst had happened. Everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger.
"God, how could you do this to me!" he cried.
Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a
ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him.
How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers.
"We saw your smoke signal," they replied.
It is easy to get discouraged when things are going bad. But
we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the
midst of pain and suffering.
Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground,
it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.
For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it.
You say: It's impossible
God says: All thing are possible (Luke 18:27)
You say: I'm too tired
God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-20)
You say: Nobody really loves me
God says: I love you (John 3:16 & John 13:34)
You say: I can't go on
God says: My grace is sufficient (IICor.12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
You say: I can't figure things out
God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say: I can't do it
God says: You can do all things (Phil 4:13)
You say: I'm not able
God says: I am able (IICor.9:8)
You say : It's not worth it
God says: It will be worth it (Romans 8:28)
You say: I can't forgive myself
God says: I forgive you (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: I can't manage
God says: I will supply all your needs (Phil 4:19)
You say: I'm afraid
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Tim. 1:7)
You say: I'm always worried and frustrated
God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)
You say: I don't have enough faith
God says: I've given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)
You say: I'm not smart enough
God says: I give you wisdom (I Cor 1:30)
You say: I feel all alone
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Heb.13:5)
(More Encouraging Stories follow these reflective questions.)
Do I believe there is a real heaven and hell?
When I die where will I go?
What do I need to do to live forever?
Why do I believe what I do?
If what I believe isn't true, would I want to know it?
Who has the answers?
Click here
Encouraging Stories - #7
The Armed Guards
Author Unknown
Have you ever felt the urge to pray for someone and then just put it on a list and said, "I'll pray for them later."? Or has anyone ever called you and said, "I need you to pray for me, I have this need."? Read the following story. It may change the way that you may think about prayer and also the way you pray. A missionary on furlough told this true story while visiting his home church in Michigan...
"While serving at a small field hospital in Africa, every two weeks I traveled by bicycle through the jungle to a nearby city for supplies. This was a journey of two days and required camping overnight at the halfway point.
On one of these journeys, I arrived in the city where I planned to collect money from a bank, purchase medicine and supplies, and then begin my two-day journey back to the field hospital. Upon arrival in the city, I observed two men fighting, one of whom had been seriously injured. I treated him for his injuries and at the same time talked to him about the Lord Jesus Christ. I then traveled two days, overnight, and arrived home without incident.
Two weeks later I repeated my journey. Upon arriving in the city,I was approached by the young man I had treated. He told me that he had known I carried money and medicines. He said, 'Some friends and I followed you into the jungle, knowing you would camp overnight. We planned to kill you and take your money and drugs. But just as we were about to move into your camp, we saw that you were surrounded by 26 armed guards.
At this I laughed and said that I was certainly all alone out in that jungle campsite.
The young man pressed the point, however, and said, 'No sir, I was not the only person to see the guards. My five friends also saw them, and we all counted them.
It was because of those guards that we were afraid and left you alone.'"
At this point in the sermon, one of the men in the congregation jumped to his feet and interrupted the missionary and asked if he could tell him the exact day that this happened. The missionary told the congregation the date, and the man who interrupted told him this story:
"On the night of your incident in Africa, it was morning here and I was preparing to go play golf. I was about to putt when I felt the urge to pray for you. In fact, the urging of the Lord was so strong, I called men in this church to meet with me here in the sanctuary to pray for you. Would all of those men who met with me on that day stand up?"
The men who had met together to pray that day stood up. The missionary wasn't concerned with who they were-he was too busy counting how many men he saw.
There were 26.
Encouraging Stories - #8
A Lesson From An Ant
by: Josh and Karen Zarandona
Brenda was a young woman that wanted to learn to go rock climbing.
Although she was scared to death she went with a group and they faced
this tremendous cliff of rock. Practically perpendicular. In spite of
her fear, she put on the gear and she took a hold of the rope and she
started up the face of that rock.
Well, she got to a ledge where she could take a breather. As she
was hanging on there, whoever was holding the rope up at the top of the cliff made a mistake and snapped the rope against Brenda's eye and knocked out her contact lens.
You know how tiny contact lenses are and how almost impossible to
find. Well, here she is on a rock ledge, with who know how many
hundreds of feet behind and hundreds of feet above her. Of course, she looked and looked and looked, hoping that she would be able to find that contact lens. Here she was, very far from home. Her sight was now blurry. She was very upset by the fact that she wouldn't be anywhere near a place where she could get a new contact lens. And she prayed that the Lord would help her to find it.
Well, her last hope was that perhaps when she got to the top of
the cliff, one of the girls that was up there on the top might be able to find her contact lens in the corner of her eye. When she got to the top, a friend examined her eye. There was no contact lens to be found. She sat down with the rest of the party, waiting for the rest of them to come up the face of the cliff.
She looked out across range after range of mountains, thinking of
that Bible verse that says, "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro
throughout the whole earth." She thought, "Lord, You can see all these
mountains. You know every single stone and leaf that's on those mountains and You know exactly where my contact lens is."
Finally, the time came when it was time to go down. They walked
down the trail to the bottom. Just as they got there, there was a new
party of rock climbers coming along. As one of them started up the face of the cliff, she shouted out, "Hey, you guys! Anybody lose a contact lens?"
Well, that would be startling enough, wouldn't it? She had found
the contact lens! But you know why she saw it? An ant was carrying that contact lens so that it was moving slowly across the face of the rock.
What does that tell you about the God of the universe? Is He in
charge of the tiniest things? Do ants matter to Him? Of course they do. He made them. He designed them.
Brenda told me that her father is a cartoonist. When she told him this incredible story, he drew a picture of that ant lugging that contact lens (as you see in the comics with a balloon with words in it over his head) with the words: "Lord, I don't know why You want me to carry this thing. I can't eat it and it's awfully heavy.
But if this is what You want me to do, I'll carry it for You."
If God is in charge of the ants, don't you think He cares about you and me? I guess Solomon was right. One could learn a valuable lesson from that ant -- trust in God. We could probably all say a little more often, "God, I don't know why you want me to carry this load. I see no good in it and it's awfully heavy. Still, if you want me to, I'll carry it for You."
Encouraging Stories - #9
Mountain Moving Faith
Author Unknown
A small congregation in the foothills of the Great Smokies
built a new sanctuary on a piece of land willed to them by
a church member. Ten days before the new church was to
open, the local building inspector informed the pastor that
the parking lot was inadequate for the size of the building.
Until the church doubled the size of the parking lot, they
would not be able to use the new sanctuary.
Unfortunately, the church with its undersized parking lot
had used every inch of their land except for the mountain
against which it had been built. In order to build more
parking spaces, they would have to move the mountain
out of the back yard.
Undaunted, the pastor announced the next Sunday morning
that he would meet that evening with all members who had
"mountain-moving faith". They would hold a prayer session
asking God to remove the mountain from the back yard and to
somehow provide enough money to have it paved and painted
before the scheduled opening dedication service the following
week.
At the appointed time, 24 of the congregation's 300 members
assembled for prayer. They prayed for nearly three hours.
At ten o'clock the pastor said the final "Amen". "We'll open
next Sunday as scheduled," he assured everyone. "God has never
let us down before, and I believe He will be faithful this
time too."
The next morning as he was working in his study there came a
loud knock at his door. When he called "come in", a rough
looking construction foreman appeared, removing his hard hat
as he entered.
"Excuse me, Reverend. I'm from Acme Construction Company over
in the next county. We're building a huge new shopping mall
over there and we need some fill dirt. Would you be willing
to sell us a chunk of that mountain behind the church? We'll
pay you for the dirt we remove and pave all the exposed area
free of charge, if we can have it right away. We can't do
anything else until we get the dirt in and allow it to settle
properly."
The little church was dedicated the next Sunday as originally
planned and there were far more members with "mountain-moving
faith" on opening Sunday than there had been the previous week!
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