Encouraging Encouragement

by Pastor Gail Perinchief

You don’t have to look very far to find a whole lot of discouraged people around you. People that are deprived of courage, hope or confidence. The problem is, it’s contagious. If we don’t keep our guard up, it can spread fast.

Encouragement = inspiring courage and confidence, is also contagious. The Lord began to stir this scripture in my heart a few weeks ago from Hebrews 3:13, out of the Amplified Bible…..
“But continually encourage one another every day, as long as it is called ‘Today’ [and there is an opportunity]….”

Imagine if you set out each day looking for any chance to encourage others. It can be as simple as making someone laugh. Maybe paying a co-worker a compliment? How about sending a friend a text sharing you are thinking about them? Or letting someone know that you are praying for them. Better yet, maybe taking a minute to pray with them?

Oftentimes, sharing our own similar experience to what they might be dealing with can help them to not feel alone. It also gives them hope to see the way you made it through to the other side.

There are moments when our youngest grandchildren like to get up on our bed. It is quite high, so they will ask for a “boost” to help them make it. That is exactly what encouragement does. It acts as a boost to help people get back up where they need to be.

Let’s be challenged to accept this assignment. It is my prayer that you wouldn’t just read through this devotional and stay in your normal routine. My prayer is that your heart would be stirred by His word to not just hear, but to DO what it says. Let the encouragement begin!