The words have stuck with me today and perhaps they will with you too. At least that is my hope.
“This is us, hallelujah! Jesus “restores, refreshes, renews my soul” (Ps.23:3). “I rejoice when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus show up, for they refresh my spirit.” (1Cor.16:17-18). “Increasingly encourage each other” (Heb.1:25). Friends, let’s treasure our refreshers/encouragers, and be one too!”
(@ScottyWardSmith)
Encouragement has been defined as “the ability to inspire with courage, spirit or confidence” (dictionary.com). The word had been stuck in my thoughts for days and the above quote had me digging a bit more deeply.
In his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul uses the word “encourage” seven times in the NLT. In chapter five, he reminds us to “encourage each other” (verse 11) and “encourage those who are timid” (verse 14).
Paul recognized something occurs within us when we receive a word of encouragement.
“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:11, NLT)
A simple word of encouragement can:
- Bring cheer. “Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.”
(Proverbs 12:25, NLT) - Bring strength. “Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”
(Proverbs 16:24, NLT) - Bring support. “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.”
(Galatians 6:2, NLT)
At times we need a little help to grab hold of
cheer, strength, and/or support.
Who can you encourage today?
Sometimes I don’t know what to pray for a friend or loved one. Perhaps this is you as well. Michele Morin’s post HERE will encourage you to pray for their most important need. “When we don’t know what to pray for, there is one gift left that everyone needs, and it’s based on a promise from an obscure minor prophet.”
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Photo by Kate Macate on Unsplash
“At times we need a little help to grab hold of cheer, strength, and/or support.”
Such a true statement Joanne.
Blessings, Jennifer
This is my desire—to encourage others. I don’t always think about it, and am sometimes preoccupied. May God give us grace to focus on others and seek ways to encourage them.
Joanne, you give us this warm and loving space to live this verse out. Thank you, friend.
Joanne, in my work with hospice I am constantly reminded how a small act of kindness can mean so much. Without thinking most days, I simply share God’s love and peace with others through small actions. We never know what others are battling on the inside, and a simple kindness speaks such comfort.
Encouragement has the ability to be a figurative hug that helps you go a step further than where you are right now — or the strength to stand in the storm a little longer. Wednesday has become for me a day that needs encouragement–I receive the hug within this post and hope it enables me to be an encourager throughout my day! Grace and Blessings to your day Joanne!
I have long considered being an encourager as my spiritual gift. But I notice that since I’ve been tied up with working on my book, I have slackened my efforts in this area. Thank you for the reminder we have to be intentional to be encouragers.
Amen! Love this encouragement today.
Thanks for your ongoing encouragement, Joanne. Blessings.
This is so true, Joanne. I often feel better physically after receiving a bit of encouragement. It’s such a powerful gift (and one that you offer so beautifully).
Joanne, encouragement is a priceless gift that builds up our spirit and soul.
AMEN in JESUS our LORD AND SAVIOUR!!
So beautiful! Words of encouragement are a true gift!