Musing: Encouragement

Yesterday people were sending me birthday wishes it was so encouraging that people would take the time to acknowledge my birthday, Along with the gracious birthday wishes there were a few comments that were made mentioning something that I taught and shared probably 30 years ago and how it impacted their lives.

Those brief comments filled my soul with such incredible joy and it so profoundly encouraged me that all the years in ministry was worth it. It made want to continue serving the Lord and His people.

Truly the meaning of Proverbs 18:21 came alive

• Proverbs 18:21 (NKJV)  “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.”
• (MSG) “Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.”
• (TPT) “Your words are so powerful that they will kill or give life”

As I am writing this there is this joyous voice inside of me saying,“it was worth all the sacrifices, hardships, mistakes, turmoil, disappointments, etc.

We read Paul what writes to the church of Thessalonica:

• Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT) “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”
• :11 (CEV) }”That’s why you must encourage and help each other, just as you are already doing.”

There are a number of other verses in the Bible that speak to encouraging one another. If I want to be honest it has only been the last few years that I have consciously tried to encourage people. It goes along with assigning value and honor to each person while attempting to unearth the buried treasure in each person.

They have proven scientifically that words of encouragement that are spoken change the chemistry make up of our blood.
How do we feel when people speak to us using negative words? How do we feel when people speak to us using words of encouragement?

While considering those questions why don’t we establish the “encouragement challenge?” What’s that? It’s where we attempt to eliminate discouraging/negitive speech from our live

• Ephesians 4:29 (NKJV) “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”

“And never let ugly or hateful words come from your mouth, but instead let your words become beautiful gifts that encourage others; do this by speaking words of grace to help them.” The Passion Translation (TPT)

What if we challenged ourselves to be encounters not discouragers? We will be  theses and daughters that are breathing life. Are you in?