If She Hadn’t Believed in Me


If She Hadn’t Believed in Me, by Tracie Miles

On Friday, over at Proverbs 31 Ministries, Tracie Miles, the Director of COMPEL Training, shared an inspiring devotion about the importance of encouraging others and letting someone know how much you believe in them. In case you missed it, we wanted to share it on the COMPEL blog today! 

If you are a writer who would be encouraged to receive a COMPEL Training gift certificate for Christmas, or if you know a writer in your life who would be blessed to receive a COMPEL membership, be sure to click on the link at the bottom of this blog post for more information on how to get the perfect holiday gift! 

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So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT) 

If she hadn’t believed in me …

I would have never followed God’s call on my heart to be a writer of blogs and books when I had no writing experience or training.  

If she hadn’t believed in me …

I would have never had the courage to be transparent in telling the stories God was writing in my life without fear of upsetting her or others.

If she hadn’t believed in me …

I would have never had the confidence [SR1] to step outside of my introvert-loving comfort zone, willing to vulnerably stand on stage in front of an audience and share lessons I’d learned from God’s Word.

If she hadn’t believed in me …

I might have never survived a horrific, painful divorce experience. Because of her support, encouragement and unconditional love, I was able to stand strong in the face of great adversity and sadness.

If she hadn’t believed in me … 

I might not be the mom and person I am today. From the day my first daughter was born almost 26 years ago (and the two more kids born in the following years), and through all the hardships I’ve endured, she has consistently reassured me I am a good mother and a good person — especially on those days when I felt like neither.

If she hadn’t believed in me …

There are countless leaps of faith, new opportunities and challenges I may have never taken, all of which have brought me joy, purpose and peace.

Who is “she,” you wonder? None other than my amazing mom.

My mom, Barbara, has been my biggest cheerleader my whole life. 

To say she’s had an impact on my life as a whole and shaped me into who I am today would be an understatement. She’s the epitome of someone who encourages others in their calling and purpose, no matter what it is, and lifts the spirits of everyone she knows, whenever she can.

In addition to my mom’s belief in me, I am blessed to have had others support me in my calling over the years — my three children, my companions in ministry, other family members and many online friends. They have no idea how many times their belief in me lifted my spirits when I felt discouraged or how they’ve encouraged me when I felt like giving up. And that’s exactly what Scripture says we all need.

All throughout the Bible, we’re given instructions to encourage others. We also read verses meant to encourage us as we push forward in our callings and life in general. Why? Because encouragement is necessary to live out our faith. [SR2] 

1 Thessalonians 5:11 talks about this very thing: So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”

This type of encouragement isn’t about complimenting someone on a new outfit or giving them kudos for a job well done — instead, it refers to Christian encouragement. The kind of encouragement that spurs someone toward Christ and motivates them to follow His tug on their heart, in whatever direction He leads.

It’s the kind of encouragement which lets someone know God is using them as a vessel and their obedience is impacting lives, even if they can’t yet see it. Encouragement that reassures them what they’re doing matters in the kingdom of God and is making an eternal difference. Encouragement that reassures: “You can do this.”

Knowing someone believes in us and is cheering us on can often be the determining factor for whether we follow God’s call on our heart or shy away in fear, intimidation, self-doubt or feelings of unworthiness. 

Who in your life needs encouragement in their calling today? 

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Join Tracie on Facebook on her author page and in her Love Life Again Community Group for daily faith-fueled encouragement. If you haven’t yet subscribed to the COMPEL blog, do so today! 

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Tracie Miles has been the Director of COMPEL Training at Proverbs 31 Ministries since January 2017, and has been volunteering on the speaker and writer teams for Proverbs 31 since 2007. Tracie is an author coach who works one on one with writers of all levels to help them pursue their writing dreams, and can be found at www.traciemiles.com. She is the author of seven bestselling books, including Living Unbroken, Love Life Again, Unsinkable Faith, Stress Less Living and Your Life Still Counts, and has a new book releasing July 2024 called God's Got You: Embracing New Beginnings With Courage and Confidence. She is also the founder of the national Living Unbroken Divorce Recovery Program, a 7 week study series to help women heal and recover together. Tracie has three grown children, two of whom are married, and lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. You can connect with Tracie on her website at www.traciemiles.com as well as on Facebook and Instagram.

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