And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.
Samuel 30:6
The most interesting thing about this verse is, we have no idea how David encouraged himself in the Lord. We only know that he did.
All front line Servants of the Living God have times of unspeakable discouragement. And as a matter of course, the enemy is always trying to keep us deflated. He constantly send missiles in an attempt to deflect our attention from the Goal.
Laziness often creeps in. When there is little prayer and no fresh Word of God, the Soldier is vulnerable. But a devotional life is not a prescription to produce all we need.
One of the things that sets the heart aflame is the story of one who has gone before and has been in desperate need. Hearing how that need is met by the Lord is not only encouraging, but instructional. So many have been called to serve, and the stories of His faithfulness are fuel for the Soldier's heart.
I have just finished Herbert Grings' autobiography. He was a little known missionary to the Congo in the early part of the 1900's. What a Soldier! What difficulty and what deliverance. What answers to prayer. Heartache and loss. Death. Thrill. Satisfaction. Explosive joy.
Soldier of The Cross, make a habit of reading about those who have gone before us. While there are a few good books written today, much of Christian literature has to do with feeling better about yourself and having a better life. What a waste.
Follow the journeys of those who have been called as you have - called to take up The Cross and follow Him.
There are hundreds and hundreds. Many are free on the Google Books site.
We need each other. We need to hear from those who have gone before. We see their footprints on the path in front of us.
Buying books? Start with Elisabeth Elliot's "A Chance to Die"- the story of Amy Carmichael. When you hit the second half of the book, you will not be able to put it down. Consider the title.
Get the Jaffray series. Many missionary biographies.
Our heritage makes us vastly wealthy.