We are exhorted to encourage one another and build each other up. (1 Thessalonians 5:5) Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” That’s just a fancy way of saying we should encourage others. Edify means to build up or encourage. The Message Bible puts it this way: “Watch the way you talk…Say only what helps, each word a gift.” So encouragement is a gift we give others.
Encouragement is important because it goes straight to the heart of a person. In fact encourage in Latin “en” means “put into” and “cor” means “the heart.” Put into the heart!
We live in an ultra busy, rat race society. Giving encouragement to others falls way down at the bottom of our to-do list, if it makes the list at all. Yet, God himself is the great encourager (Psalm 10:17; Romans 15:5; 2 Thessalonians 2:16- 17) with the Bible being the most encouraging book ever written. God wishes for us to comfort, exhort, and encourage one another as well. (I Thessalonians 4:18; 5:11; Hebrews 3:13)
Encouragement should not be confused with false praise or idle flattery. Not everyone is the greatest, best, or most fantastic person in the whole wide world. False praise can stimulate rivalry or competition, be judgmental, foster selfishness, or give a deceptive sense of evaluation. Encouragement, on the other hand, stimulates cooperation or contribution for the good of all, focuses on effort, makes a person feel accepted, and gives comfort or joy.
Encouragement is not just a spiritual issue anymore. Businesses are instructing their leadership about the fine art of appreciating employees. Why? Because it can:
- Form or strengthen positive business and personal relationships
- Promote opportunities for further interpersonal collaboration
- Motivate someone to reach even greater accomplishments
Encouragement is a two way street, a win-win scenario as they say in the corporate world. It not only encourages the recipient but the giver as well. (Romans 1:11-12)
Consider this… An old adage says, “One word of encouragement during a failure is worth more than a 100 words of praise during a success.” I think that’s true.
We live in a pressure filled society, a dog eat dog world filled with unrealistic expectations. Satan uses this to tear us down, make us feel unimportant and unappreciated, or like we don’t belong. Sometimes we feel like Jesus doesn’t even care even though deep in our hearts we know differently. Encouragers are Christ’s representatives here on earth. Their mission is to “put into the heart” of people the thought that they are appreciated and someone cares.
Suggestions for practicing this choice…
- Look for any opportunity to tell people they did a good job. Say it now; don’t wait.
- Be less critical. Most of the time people are doing the best they can.
- Write a note of appreciation. Spoken words are great but when people feel down they can take out a written note, read it again, and feel renewed.
- Pray. The more we pray for others, the easier it will be to encourage them. Encouraging others may not come easily so we can also pray that God helps us develop the ability to be encouraging.
- Let others know when they have encouraged us. That’s encouraging to them, as well as to us. (Romans 1:11-12)