The Power Of Encouragement

I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you. -- Ephesians 6:22 NIV

I've started to make a habit of being transparent about a lot of things that go on in my life when I write these articles. It isn't always easy because, while I may never have met many of you, a bunch of you are my friends and family. I see you every day. It can be pretty hard to admit when things aren't going well because we all really want to look like we have it all together, don't we? I've been writing these off and on over the past few years. In the beginning I had no real vision or direction for them, but I knew God needed me writing so I did.

An amazing thing has happened over the past few months in general, but the past few weeks in particular. As I've been more transparent, I've had lots of people offer encouragement...and that is something that goes beyond value. Even though I have a Godly perspective on 'negative' events of the past few weeks, it's still wonderful to be offered words of hope and encouragement.

Just today my very good friend Mike sent me an e-mail with a couple of Bible passages he said he felt led to share with me. You know what? I needed to hear them! It's the understanding look or the simple smile or just a quick word to let someone know you care about them and are praying for them that can make a world of difference. So when you hear that little voice inside of you (God) urging you to reach out and encourage someone, take the opportunity and do it. Trust me, it matters and maybe more than you realize.

Think about it this way...how much different would the world be if every single human on the planet said or did something to encourage one other person every day of their lives? We spend a lot of time gossiping and laughing as people fail. I say it's time we reverse that trend. Instead of laughing at another's misfortune let's pray for them. Instead of being exclusive, let's be inclusive. Instead of discouraging others from chasing their dreams, let's tell them we have faith in them. What do you think will happen if we all start doing that?