Encouragement


In the middle of the night last night, I woke up thinking about encouragement.  It is such a blessing.

There are people in my life who offer me daily encouragement.  My husband.  Tom Glendening - a childhood friend who sends a daily bible verse.  Abb, a wonderful guy I met in Nicaragua who sends a daily devotional.  And Vanessa, my dear friend who rarely reads one of these posts without offering some sort of positive feedback.

When I woke up I thought, "WOW,  Encouragement = Love.

In Hebrews 10:24-25 the Bible says "And let us consider how we might spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

In this passage "the Day" refers to Jesus' second coming - and since Revelations tells us the days preceding that will be tough, certainly Christians will need (and should give) encouragement then.

But if Encouragement = Love, and the Bible tells us we are to love one another at all times, shouldn't we be encouraging one another often?  

I tell you from experience, encouragement makes a difference.

The Oxford Language Dictionary defines encouragement as "the act of giving someone support, confidence, or hope."  

Who do you know that might need that today?  Your children? Your parents? Your friend? The woman running the cash register at the grocery store?  The man who delivers your mail?

Today I ask that you challenge yourself to offer encouragement to three people.  Show them God's love by offering support, a word of praise, or one of hope.  I promise - you will make their day!

💓

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