We are All Called to Encourage~

  I love getting a card in the mail or a encouraging email. A phone call, they always come just at the right time, when I’m feeling discouraged or in pain or stressed, someone out there knows because the holy spirit has spoken to their heart and told them. How do you feel when you’ve had a tough week at work, and the kids are off the walls and you feel you don’t have time to accomplish everything you must and your being pulled in a dozen directions, how do you feel when someone takes the time out of their busy schedule to reach out and encourage you?

 We are not meant to walk this journey alone, life is full of pain, trials and disappointments. God has places certain individuals into our lives to encourage us, just at the right time. What is worth more gold, or a true friend speaking love into your life and edifying you in your spiritual walk, and your day-to-day life? Many scriptures in the bible talk about encouraging one another 1 Thessalonians 4:18, Hebrews3:13, Hebrews 10:25.

This is not just a spiritual gift, but as Christians, we are all called to edify and encourage one another in the faith. Do we want our words to bring down someone or uplift them in their time of need? Encouragement is like a refreshing fountain of spring water that gives renewed strength to those who hear of it. If we are to break down the word, encouragement for what is means En= means to put into and the Latin word cou means heart.

I’ve learned to follow Christ example. My mom was the one who set such a beautiful example of what living a life of encouragement looked like, this was her spiritual gift too, but like me tried to show other believers they don’t need to have a gift of encouragement to edify someone. She instilled this into me ata very young age and im so grateful to her for this.

  Encouraging our spouses, friends and family can also be a outreach. What would the world say about is if all Christians were known as encouragers? Think about that for a moment, the scriptures are clear John 13:34,35 says that all people will know we are his disciples if we love one another!  that what Christ’s life was LOVE, isn’t that the greatest commandment he gave us after Love the Lord your god with all your heart and all your soul and your entire mind and love your neighbor as yourself!

 We aren’t suppose to live secluded lives , we are to  be in the world, not of the world, but sharing Christ’s love, the best way we can do that is by showing love and encouraging others give them that hope we have. We aren’t suppose to brush aside those I need, Or brush our hands on their mess, as brothers and sisters in Christ we are to walk alongside them. Thessalonians 5:11, Romans 1:11,12.

 I remember a few years back having a conversation with this lady who was going through a very difficult time in her life. I gave her a card of encouragement and she broke down in tears. She said this means to much to me thank you, but I could never do what you do. I asked her what she meant and she said the way you encourage others, I told her we do not need to have a gift of encouragement to reach out, just a willing heart and eyes open to see those who are hurting. She agreed and I gave her something to reflect on.

  So many Christians take this route, well its not my gift, but you don’t need this gift to make someone smile, to listen to their pain, to pray with them or read the scriptures with them. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal who is hurting and what you should say. the holy spirit will reveal to you just what you need at that time .BE a encourager! I promise you that you too will be blessed by stepping g outside of yourself and you will see what a difference living a life as Christ looks like, Feeling another’s pain, and bearing their burdens. God wants us all to step out of our comfort zones and find those who need to be edified, don’t wait for someone else, if God has places them in your path, they are there for a reason and it’s a opportunity! Live a life of encouraging others, for you will be surely blessed!