Be An Encourager!

It has been said that encouragement is oxygen to the soul.  Have you ever been around someone and they were like a breath of fresh air in your life?  Those are the people who uplift you when you are low, build you up when you’ve been torn down, and bring encouragement when you are in the depths of despair. 

God has called us all to be an encourager.  1 Thessalonians 5:11 says it best…

“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”

When we encourage the people around us we bring life to them.  Encouragement is energy! Negativity is the exact opposite.  It is life draining and energy sapping.  Instead of seeing the worst in people, or the downside of situations, let’s pray that God will open our eyes to see the best!  Begin to believe the best and expect the best! That’s really what love is all about.  Take a look at this verse in The Message…

   Love never gives up.
   Love cares more for others than for self.
   Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
   Love doesn’t strut,
   Doesn’t have a swelled head,
   Doesn’t force itself on others,
   Isn’t always “me first,”
   Doesn’t fly off the handle,
   Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
   Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
   Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
   Puts up with anything,
   Trusts God always, 
   Always looks for the best,
   Never looks back,
   But keeps going to the end.

1 Corinthians 13:7 The Message (MSG)

It’s amazing how one word of affirmation can make such a big difference.  Can you remember the times in your life when someone told you they were proud of you and how it made you feel like you could take on the world?  Words like, ‘You did a great job,” “You’re awesome!” Impact people more than we know. 

 

Choose to be an encourager today! Here are 3 simple tips to do just that:

1) Find the good in others and focus on that. 

2) Give lots of compliments.  Be sincere about it.

3) Show appreciation for people and be thankful.  Tell them what you are thankful for.

Make it your goal to encourage someone today! Be a difference maker! 

 

 

“Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out … as we see the big Day approaching.” The Apostle Paul

Leave a comment and tell me about a time when someone encouraged you, and how it made a difference!