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)
A spoken word, a little note/text/email, a prayer, a hug, a phone call – these can all be ways to encourage someone. We all have times in our lives when we may especially need a little encouragement- or at times much more than just a little!
A dear friend of mine is throwing her 30 year old daughter an “Encouragement Party” for her birthday! Her daughter has just gone through a devastating time in her life. My friend is surprising her with much needed encouragement from family and friends. My friend has asked for prayer in how we can be an encouragement to her daughter for her birthday. Certainly there will be birthday cards! But what else-calls, letters, gifts, or other ways God leads. Can you imagine what this gesture will do for this daughter’s heart!!?
I ( Linda) don’t feel comfortable sharing her story because it is very personal, but what I can say is that she has been through a devastating year of hurt and betrayal. Instead of her birthday possibly becoming a time to reflect on her pain and losses, it can now be a day of love and a “heart balm” of encouragement.
I just love this idea and how God will show love to her that day! I can’t wait to celebrate her, as she is the sweetest, most gracious young woman! Would you pray for her if God leads you?
What can you do personally to encourage someone? Maybe you can throw your own “encouragement party” for someone who needs a little extra! Plus, it doesn’t even need to be his/her birthday!!
- Was Jesus an encourager? To His disciples and those He touched and healed, he not only brought physical healing and spiritual life, Jesus also lifted them out of pits of hopelessness and sorrow. Can you think of some for whom Jesus was an encouragement? Which dimensions (spiritual, physical, emotional) was Jesus targeting?
- Let’s Do the Book: I Thessalonians 5:11 gives us marching orders! So let’s pray and ask God for His next Encouragement target for us to pursue. Go for it!
- So now let’s talk with a friend about our experiences. Who has encouraged you in your life? Has Holy Spirit been an encourager to you? When? How? It isn’t bragging to discuss how our encouragement of others was received. OK? Let’s do it!