Encouragement: Urging others to persist and persevere in their efforts to attain their goals; stimulating others toward love and good deeds.
(1 Thessalonians 5:11, Hebrews 10:24)
My husband and I listened to a couple online who speak on marriage. One take away that we liked was to share with your spouse once a week, (good date night activity) of two positive withhelds. A “withheld” is something that you meant to tell your spouse but never got around to it. For example: You are having a very busy morning and you still need to get the kids out the door. Your husband sees that you are short on time and maybe even patience and he gets the kids all together and ready to go. You appreciate this so much but because you are running behind you give him a kiss and you rush out the door. You think you will thank him later but later never comes and the encouragement passes. You meant to tell him but forgot. Perhaps you thought you did, but time just passed and it didn’t get done. That is a “withheld.”
You can do this exercise with anyone really. If you think of a “withheld” with your children, parents, co-workers, friends, etc….it is never too late to send an encouraging text or make a phone call.(“You know the other day I noticed……..) It is as easy as that. You just might make someone’s day!
Consider how your child would feel, if you start verbalizing more of the positive, encouraging, and sweet thoughts that come across your mind. Your encouraging words will be such a heart-builder! When children start “getting into things”, it is no mistake that one of the first words she/he learned as a toddler was “no!” That is because the child hears that more often! Haha. Though we need to teach our children right from wrong, of course, we can also teach them what it means to be an encourager by exemplifying encouragement for them.
You may want to make this a family night activity. Hold a “withheld” family night. Go around to each person in your family and share an encouraging, positive “withheld.” Allow everyone to have a turn, helping the young ones, of course. We used to have “E-Nights” where we took time to say thank you or tell something we meant to say (the “withheld”), or tell the family what we appreciate about that member of the family. At work…something about a co-worker.
Family encouraging family. The world can be a negative place at times.Let’s work on turning our homes into a place of safe refuge where we are loved unconditionally and encouraged regularly.
- How has God encouraged you in your walk/relationship with Him?
- What scripture has Holy Spirit used to encourage you in times of needing some encouragement?
- Would you share with family and/or friends ways you have received encouragement?