Therefore
encourage one another and build each other up,
just
as in fact you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Thoughts~
I love to encourage others and have them encourage me
right back. People that are secure in their own skin love to encourage others. To
praise someone for a job well done, no matter what the occasion, is a tremendous
gift of appreciation and your words can make or break someone’s day.
When I first enrolled in college as an adult, I had a
career counselor that was half my age. I could hardly relate to her, she talked
at the speed of light and I thought she seemed annoyed at times with my many
questions before I jumped in with both feet. Just as I felt a little bit of
discouragement coming on, she leaned over her desk and said “I admire older
people who go back to school to start a new career. You can do this. You’ll be
a great Social Worker.”
All of the negatives I had been feeling from her were
instantly erased as I floated out of her office and into my new life as a
college student again. She encouraged me in such a way that she built me up and
I wanted to show here that I could do it.
I try to encourage everyone I come across every day in
a genuine way. No one wants to hear
false flattery so I look for something that will help them feel appreciated.
Sometimes I have to look harder for some people, but I look until I find that
needle in the haystack. Once found, my words offer encouragement that is
usually not expected. God has used my words often to open doors to new friendships and opportunities to share Jesus. He is the One who encourages us to encourage others.
Action~
Make it a habit of encouraging others every day. Start
purposefully thanking people who build you up spiritually, emotionally, mentally, etc. Recognizing someone
in a special way may be just what they really needed that day.
We all have different “love languages” so while one person
may only need a pat on the back to feel encouraged, another may need a special
card sent in the mail or even a small token of appreciation. Regardless of how
you do it, work on encouraging others, even if it feels a little bit foreign to
you. It's a very special habit to have.
Be genuine about your encouragement and tell the people
how they specifically encourage you. You will be building so many people up
that you’ll soon have a stream of people wanting to hang out around you.
Pray~
Father, thank You for teaching us how to encourage
others. You are the example of real encouragement, always there to let me know
You are pleased with me. Help me to remember to encourage all of those around
me.
Trusting in Him,
Becky
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