Monday, November 4, 2024
What comes to mind when you hear the word encouragement? Perhaps you think of giving people your support, uplifting someone, or motivating someone so they can achieve things they thought they couldn’t.
According to Merriam Webster, to encourage means “to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope.” Whether it is our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ or not, inspiring someone and giving them hope are of vital importance. Providing encouragement is one of the most valuable things we can do—there is no feeling like seeing someone succeed after you gave them the courage to do something they didn’t think possible
Throughout the Bible, we see examples of how to uplift each other. The apostle Paul encouraged the early church to follow Jesus’ commandments and grow in their faith. Many of the psalms offer encouragement when we are struggling. The power of our words is described in the book of Proverbs:
Proverbs 18:21
The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
We’ve all been guilty of using our words to bring death. It is often easier to talk about ourselves rather than genuinely listening to another’s struggles. Who hasn’t said hurtful things during an argument or fallen into the trap of gossiping? As someone who has been the victim of gossip, I know how hurtful those words can be. We must be careful what we say, only speaking true, positive things that encourage each other.
As we learned in the movie, The Boys in the Boat, encouragement is more than compliments and trivial words. Sometimes it sounds critical and isn’t what we want to hear, especially if we’re on the wrong path, straying away from God, or doing something else that could damage our lives. Sometimes, we need to be encouraged—or encourage others—to do the right thing, even when it’s hard. Small words of encouragement can change lives forever, providing the motivation necessary to do what is right or to persevere.
As we go about our week, let’s remember to spread the love and encouragement God provides to us daily by speaking life into each other, no matter how small it may seem.
Questions:
When has someone provided you with encouragement when you needed it most?
What did the author of Proverbs 18:21 mean when he wrote that “the tongue can bring death or life”?
Next Steps:
This week, speak words of encouragement to someone in your life who may be struggling.
Attend GrowthTrack to find your spiritual gifts and join a DreamTeam to encourage others.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for encouraging me in times of hardship. Please send me someone who can encourage me when I am struggling, and help me be that person for others. Help us to take the hope that you give us and spread it to others. Give us the courage to strengthen others even when it may not be easy. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Series Theme Verse:
Romans 1:20
For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
Today’s post was written by Isabelle Billnitzer, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Devotional.