The World’s Most Powerful Person

Who is the world’s most powerful person? The president…the pope…the premier of China? Not at all. It is the person who brings encouragement to a downcast soul. To speak a kind and uplifting word to a depressed senior who feels they have no relevance in this world, an overwhelmed and underappreciated mother trying to maintain sanity in the home, a father burdened with providing for his family in tough economic times, a struggling co-worker who just can’t seem to get the hang of their job, a brokenhearted teenager whose boyfriend has just dumped her–that is the world’s most powerful person.

And that could be you! You need no degree from a prestigious university, no high powered position in a Fortune 500 company, no fat pocketbook, fast car or fancy clothes. All you need is a compassionate heart that authentically cares for the person standing right in front of you. I would propose to you that simply speaking an affirming word to acknowledge that person’s value as one of God’s treasured creations, or a soothing word that pours ointment on their wounded soul, or a hopeful word that pictures a brighter future has the awesome power of catalyzing new life and needed energy to lift the downtrodden up, give courage to the battered and withdrawn, and propel the fearful forward to their God-ordained destiny.

Imagine that: just a word, spoken authentically and perfectly timed has more force in the life of an individual than the detonation of an atomic bomb. And anyone can do that–including you. Maybe you are not very smart, articulate, talented or resourced; perhaps you don’t have that many friends, aren’t too popular, don’t have a voice in your world; it could be that you’re not good looking, funny, or all that cool. It doesn’t matter. You can quickly rise to the position of the world’s most powerful person simply by offering timely and genuine encouragement to the people around you. There is no greater influence in the whole realm of human relationships.

Best of all, when you encourage others, your Heavenly Father thinks you are pretty cool! And as another proverbs reminds us, “he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:25) God will make sure of that!

“Let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the end approaching!”
Hebrews 10:25

Your Assignment, Should You Choose To Accept It:

God has placed a person in your world today that could really profit from your genuine and Christ-hearted encouragement. Speak a timely and uplifting word to them and watch their entire countenance lift! As you do, enjoy the moment–you have just risen to the top of your field!