The Power of Encouragement

An elderly man lay in a hospital with his wife of fifty-five years sitting at his bedside. “Is that you, Ethel, at my side again?” he whispered.

“Yes, dear,” she answered.

He softly said to her, “Remember years ago when I was in the Veteran’s Hospital? You were with me then. You were with me when we lost everything in a fire. And Ethel, when we were poor—you were with me there, too.”

The man sighed and said, “I tell you, what Ethel… you’re bad luck.”

Some people seem to find fault in just about anything. They look on the dark side of everything and infect anyone who is near them with their negativity. And if we’re not careful, we can fall into that black hole of negativity, fault-finding and discouragement ourselves. That’s why the writer of Hebrews gave us these two powerful admonitions:

“We should keep on encouraging each other to be thoughtful and to do helpful things. Some people have gotten out of the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord’s coming is getting closer.” (Hebrews 10:24-25, CEV)

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” (Hebrews 3:13)

One of the chief reasons we fall into sin, give in to a spirit of fear, shrink back from reaching our potential, or become spiritually and emotionally hardened, is from discouragement—or perhaps more accurately, the lack of encouragement.

One of the chief reasons we stumble into sin, surrender to a spirit of fear, slip into emotional depletion, become spiritually hardened and shrink back from reaching our faith-potential is from discouragement—or perhaps more accurately, the lack of encouragement. As believers, we not only have the spiritual responsibility, we have the awesome potential for making a huge impact in the lives of others by simply living out the Biblical injunction to encourage one another daily.

As believers, we have the awesome potential for making a huge impact in the lives of people by living out the Biblical injunction to encourage one another daily. This is especially important since the Enemy of our souls works overtime in his attempt to discourage, diminish and destroy us. But good, old fashioned, Christ-hearted encouragement is arguably the most powerful force we can unleash on one another. Just consider the power of encouragement in the following verses:

“The mouth of the righteous is a tree of life…” (Proverbs 10:11)

“The tongue of the wise brings healing…” (Proverbs 12:18)

“An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” (Proverbs 12:25)

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” (Proverbs 18:21)

Wow—that is the amazing, life-changing potential in the words you can choose to deliver today. So why not try it! Let me suggest five different approaches you can take to unleash this power upon another:

One, through verbal compliments: Try showering someone with praise for something they have done.

Two, through inspiring words: Speak affirming words to someone because of who they are, the beauty and potential of their character.

Three, through acts of kindness: Encourage someone simply by doing something nice for them, when they least expect it, or maybe even don’t deserve it.

Four, through indirect words: Talk about them behind their back—in a good way. For sure, it will get back to them, and it will be even more powerful coming from a third party.

Five, through written words: Send someone a note of appreciation. It will have the added value of being enjoyed over and over again.

Encouragement—it’s the most powerful thing you can do. So go for it!

“Possibly the deepest human need is the need to feel appreciated.” ~William James

Reflect & Apply: This week, write a word of encouragement and send it to someone whom God prompts you to bless. Or, before the week is out, use an indirect word of encouragement by telling a third party how much you love, appreciate a mutual acquaintance.