The Gift of Encouragement

En·cour·age·ment

Noun

The action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

We all need encouragement and thankfully, the gift of encouragement is fairly easy to offer. It is not complex. Giving encouragement is simply speaking hope into the heart of a person, which can refresh them and give them inspired strength. It’s using our words or actions to cheer them on. Encouragement is seeing them, hearing them and pointing them towards Jesus. It is a warm smile, a hearty hug or an uplifting compliment.

It’s what every Christian is called to do. Encourage. 

I know we can all say we have been in the delightful company of a person who has left us feeling better about ourselves. We walk away feeling lighter – like our tanks are full and our burden is not quite so heavy. In some way they have encouraged our heart and made a difference. We feel better.

I also think we can each relate to being in the deflating presence of someone who does the opposite. When we walk away from our time spent with them, we feel drained, frustrated, misunderstood or even wounded. They, too, have made a difference – however not in a positive way. We feel discouraged instead of encouraged.

God has placed people in our lives for a reason. Some are there for a very short season and some for longer ones. But we can be certain it is for a purpose. One of the benefits of being around people is that we help carry one another’s load. Just expressing ourselves to a listening ear can bring encouragement to our hearts.

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

Showing love to those around us in the form of encouragement may seem second-nature in some relationships and in others more difficult to muster. There will, at some point, be people in our lives who are prickly and sharp where others more inviting and warm. However, our commandment is to love them all just the same. (Matthew 22:39 – “Love your neighbor as yourself.”) If a person is never an encouragement to you, you can still be an encouragement to them.

Speaking encouragement to others is a blessing and it is best received when it comes from a genuine heart. The encouragement that the Lord has so graciously poured out onto us is purposed to be poured back out upon others.

Let me encourage you today, friends – to be an encouragement to those around you. The world needs you and the world needs your encouragement. It’s tough out there. There are so many things weighing on our hearts and minds. Everyone can use a little encouragement. It’s never wasted. Even on the seemingly ungrateful. It is never wasted.

Send a note or text saying you’re praying for your friend or family member. Drop a treat off at a neighbor’s front door. Let the person behind you in line at the grocery store go before you or tell that stressed-out momma at the park she’s doing a great job. Cheer for those around you – even if they are accomplishing the milestones you have been trying to accomplish and haven’t made it yet. Look for opportunities. They are everywhere.

On a side note (for us people pleasers out there) it is important to remember that we are not responsible for the way other people feel. We need to do what we are called to do and be an encouragement to every one around us, while keeping in mind that the Lord works in each of our hearts in His own timing.

If our encouragement is not received, then it was still worth trying to give. Let’s speak encouragement into the lives of those around us and let the Holy Spirit do the rest of the work. Plant the seed and God will grow it.

Do you need encouragement yourself? Do you need to be poured out upon before you pour back out upon others? Sit quietly and ask the Lord to draw near. Ask Jesus to speak to you, bringing His mighty encouragement to your heart. He will. Ask for eyes to see it and ears to hear it.

Then go and make a beautiful difference in the world!

Be Blessed, Friends! I think you’re all amazing!

~ Stephanie