{{It is Friday. Today I link with Lisa Jo Baker for Five Minute Friday. Here is how it works…. One word prompt. Five minutes. No editing. Lots of women. Everyone writes on the same word. Equals a great time.}}
Today’s word … encouragement.
The gift of encouragement. That gift …
can come in a word or in silence,
over a meal or a cup of coffee,
in a conversation face to face, over the phone or in an email.
Sometimes it can be received in a photo, a touch, a kiss, or just a look conveyed.
But we all need encouragement.
And the secret about encouragement lies right there in the middle of the word – courage. Encouragement brings us the courage to keep on, to press on, to not give up. Encouragement makes us stronger, braver, persistent. Encouragement keeps us from falling apart, keeps us focused on the important, builds us up and binds us together.
May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as it is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:5-6 NLT)
Encouragement – we all need some.
Encouragement is ours to receive and ours to give.
May we do both today.
Today I am joining … Five Minute Friday and Fellowship Fri. and Faith Filled Fri. and Friendship Fri. and Essential Fri. and Heart-Filled Fri. and Fri. Flash Blog .
I think everyone needs encouragement! It is essential for us to feel that we are doing the right thing or to try and do something new!
So true – everyone needs encouragement. May we encourage at least one person a day 🙂
Beautifully said! And so true, it takes a lot of courage to encourage someone and not give in to negative feelings. A blessing to read this morning.
Thank you. Can we even imagine the ripple effect we could each have if we gave out genuine encouragement each day. It would be unbelievable! Thank you for visiting me today.
I just love the way you used encouragement! Way to go! 🙂
Thank you for your encouragement!
So beautifully said! And I love how you used the root word “Courage” as well. You are SOOO right. Encouragement is a gift!
Thank you, Julie. May we gift those around us each & every day. Have a great weekend!
Dear Joanne
Sometimes it feels to me that encouragement can be found more in ears that really listen and hear without offering a single word of “clever” advice!
Blessings XX
Mia
Mia, that is so true. Encouragement can be given just with our presence and not a single word uttered. Just to be heard is encouraging. Thank you for sharing this.
I love this post, Joanne. I love the way you have communicated the subtlety of encouragement. It’s often in the small things that I feel most blessed.
Thanks for sharing at Essential Fridays.
Blessings
Mel from Essential Thing Devotions
It is so true that the smallest things can bring much encouragement. May we keep doing the little things!
After experiencing tremendous encouragement from family and friends through our recent tragedy, the Lord has impressed upon my heart to extend thankfulness and encouragement to others. In the past I would get a thought to send someone a card or purchase something for someone, and yet never follow through. I have finally come to realize that the Holy Spirit was (and is) prompting my heart to show His love to others. I started listening and following through this week. I know its supposed to bless others, but my heart has been full to overflowing as I extend His love around me. I am also trying to become a better listener as most people want to share their heart and not be offered words to “fix” them. Thanks for a great post! And thanks for all the encouragement you’ve extended to us. much love and blessings! Deb
Deb – it is so true that as we encourage others, we ourselves are blessed. You raise an important point – we all need to become better listeners. To truly listen is such a gift that we can offer each other. May you have a blessed week!
Thank you, Jo, for posting on “Encouragement”. I loved the way you listed ways you receive encouragement. These are the ways I receive encouragement, as well. I loved the way you took the word “courage” and related to it.
Yes, I believe that I need encouragement and God gives it to me in many ways. And all this encouragement is for me to not despair or fall down but to look up and believe God everyday in my journey.
Love & Blessings,
Mare
Mare – I love how you put it – to keep looking up and to believe God everyday in our journey. To do that each day would bring me encouragement from on high! Thanks for sharing & blessings to you!