I normally don’t post on Tuesdays. Mon – Wed – Fri are my usual days. But I felt led today to mention a post I just read - Pilgrimage.
Encouraging Words. This is an idea that has been in the forefront of my thinking for quite some time now. I believe, as Christians, we are called to bring encouraging words to others.
Proverbs 12:25 says “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression. But a good word makes it glad.”
A good word – another way to say an encouraging word. God knows that we need encouragement as we walk through this life and He wants us to give it to each other.
Encouraging words can lighten someone’s load and give them hope. Sharing Scripture can be the most encouraging of words we can use.
I have been the recipient of encouraging words many times in my life, and it certainly does make a difference. It has helped to change my perspective and inspired me to take another step forward or on some days, to just keep “standing.”
So share some encouraging words today with others and be a blessing!
Amen! The Lord speaks hundreds and hundreds of times about communication in His Word.
Thanks so much for your kind words in the comment you left about the article I wrote called “Pilgrimmage.” I am so glad to know it has encouraged you.
Take care,
Karen Lowe
Thanks for stopping by, Karen. It was a great article!
AMEN. I HAVE DEALT WITH DEPRESSION OVER THE YEARS AND HEARING SOMEONE SAY SOMETHING POSITIVE ABOUT YOU OR ENCOURAGING YOU IN SOME AREA IS A REAL UPLIFT TO THE SPIRIT AND THE HEART AND THE MIND. AGAIN AMEN
I too have been the recipient of encouraging words and I always try to encourage others. This post reminded me of a time when I was very weary and broken; my daughter was just diagnosed as disabled and the therapies and appointments had me at my wits end. At church when someone asked how I was, I finally told the truth. To this day I will not forget her response : “God will not give you more than you can handle.” Those words have gotten me thriough the last 16 years.
Natalie,
Thanks so much for sharing with us. I really believe that encouraging words can make such a difference. I, too, am trying to share them whenever given the opportunity.
Blessings to you.
Laurie,
I am not naturally a caring person, or maybe I should say that I am not someone who naturally displays it. I have been trained as a problem finder and once I find the problem I fix it. It is so easy for me to get wrapped up in processes and systems that most of the time I forget about the people who use them.
A while back I came to the conclusion that I come across as a negative person because of this mindset- and rightfully so. For many months now I have been actively seeking out people to whom I could give words of encouragement. It felt very contrived and I struggled with it until I decided to read just the red letters in the Bible.
Christ was such a great encourager. Through the process I learned what true humility was all about. For years I would pretend not to be good at something or use self-deprecating humor to appear humble. Through Christ’s example I found that humility really means taking yourself out of the equation all together.
It did not matter that it felt contrived to me when I spoke words of encouragment to someone, but rather how it felt to them. I still have a long way to go to be labeled an encourager, but it is a journey that I am finding easier to make after each compliment.
Brad
Praise God! Brad, what you have shared is wonderful – Seeing a quality you aren’t strong in and choosing to display it because that is how Jesus was.
I think sometimes, males in particular (no offense intended!) like to “fix” things for people. I know my husband and I joke about that. When I share a problem he gets into “fixing” mode and I”d like him to be in “listening and caring” mode:-)
Thanks so much for sharing, Brad.