“If your gift is…to encourage, then give encouragement”
“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, I used everything you gave me” (Erma Bombeck, https://www.forbes.com/quotes/2760/)
Personally, I believe as a company owner and as a leader of departments in a large ministry, providing encouragement at all levels of an organization is extremely essential for the growth and motivation of those I lead. And, I believe that most leaders would tell their staff that receiving encouragement from those we lead is a wonderful thing too, especially on days that are not going so good! How many of you feel the same?
The ability to encourage is one amazing capability, that we all have, even if for some people it comes more naturally. It truly is a gift to both the person able to give it and the person receiving it!
Encouragement is a Gift
Did you know that being encouraging is even a gift? Well, it sure is, and it’s a biblical one too. God obviously knew that we needed to be encouraged on a daily basis! Hebrews 13:3 (NIV) is very clear on this,
“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today’.”
The Bible also says, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is…to encourage, then give encouragement.”
You don’t have to be a highflyer, majorly talented or even have a crazy high IQ to demonstrate this precious gift that is yours to give away. And you don’t have to go very far outside of your own little space to meet people who are in need of some encouragement.
A Little Encouragement Goes a Long Way
As we all know, people hide a lot of their “stuff” under great public disguises. Most people don’t like to share their issues or weaknesses. Let’s face it, if we do, we can get shunned by others or looked upon as some type of social misfit, which is never a comfortable place to be. If this begins to happen to us repeatedly, it can lead to a lot of mistrust of others.
Unfortunately, most people feel like they cannot show their weaknesses on the surface, but underneath they’re struggling to keep their head above water and just get by each day by the skin of their teeth. And they are holding on just so they can get up and to do it all over again tomorrow.
Some people are at a total point of despair, and don’t know which way to turn or how to get out of their situation. However, you giving them an encouraging word can lift them up to a whole new level and provide them hope for tomorrow. Did you know even a smile, at the right time, can break down barriers and open them up to you sharing something to build up their dreams again? In Job it says,
“When they were discouraged, I smiled at them. My look of approval was precious to them.” – Job 29:24 NLT
Now just think on that one for a while the next time someone looks miserable at you in your office or in the grocery store!
Even Solomon said,
“Anxious fear brings depression, but a life-giving word of encouragement can do wonders to restore joy to the heart.” – Proverbs 12:25 TPT
See, our words can lift people out of depression and can restore joy back into their hearts. What we say can be very powerful.
We All Need Encouragement
Dear reader, please don’t assume that because people exhibit the trappings of status and success, that they don’t need encouragement. Just look at David who was a best-selling author; his psalms are still read around the world today. He was Israel’s most popular king. His victories in battle were the very envy of military strategists.
However, he had days when he felt so low and down that he was reaching up just to touch the bottom: I am on the verge of collapse, facing constant pain (Psalm 38:17 NLT). Hello! It’s not just the everyday people who need encouragement – best-selling authors, kings, and generals need it too. Everybody does! It’s a gift to bestow to others because we know how much we need it some days too.
And that’s good, because when we know we have the gift of encouragement, we will never be without a job. So today and the days and weeks to come, let’s be sensitive to God’s leading, and when He prompts us to encourage someone – Just do it!