The Gift of Encouragement by Lin Johnson

Lin's Lessons:
"The Gift of Encouragement"

To make (someone) more determined, hopeful or confident. . . . This is how Webster’s Dictionary defines the word encourage.

It is said that a word of encouragement during a failure is worth more than an hour of praise after success. No matter who and where we are, our lives will always have a need for encouragement. It acknowledges our efforts, supports our passions and validates our humanity.

At some point (often many points), in our lives, we seek the hope that encouraging words gives us. And at very pivotal times, it can be as necessary to our heart as oxygen is to our brain. The RIGHT word will revive us. It will drive us. We rest in the sweet savor of its strengthening power.

I remember a few years ago, I encountered someone who was facing an obstacle on their purpose road. They made a decision that made them feel like “This is it”. I distinctly remember one of the many conversations we had. In the midst of their tears, I said “you are still who God created you to be. That mistake doesn’t change your purpose.” Well, I didn’t give that conversation another thought. Years later, I ran into that person. As we began to converse, they said before I miss the opportunity, I wanted to say thank you. Of course, I replied, for what? They began to say that even with all of the support, prayers and encouragement they received during that period in their lives, what made the difference was the encouragement that I gifted them. They said it gave them the confidence to go on. It took me by surprise to say the least. But more importantly, I was grateful. Because, unbeknown to them, in that moment, I was
in need of encouragement. I am a firm believer that God does ALL things well. He allowed the very same words and person to pour back into me what I poured into them. And it was I, who walked away with renewed hope and encouraged to go on.

We often, unfortunately, THINK they’ll be okay but neglect to SAY you’ll be okay. We often overlook the difference between thinking they’ll win and telling them you can win.

Can you remember a time in your life when that material gift was nice but it didn’t make a difference? When gift of physical presence was always appreciated but it didn’t move you. But it was the gift of encouragement, the empowerment through a word that gave you strength.
For the believer, the Bible does this for us. God’s word, instruction and support is the CPR to our dying souls. Likewise, are our words to our brother at home with us, our sister on the phone miles away, the little kid next door or the stranger in the grocery store. Our words have power and when we make the deliberate choice to gift them to someone with remnants of love, we become change agents in their lives.

The Bible tells us that anxiety weighs down the heart but a kind word cheers it up (Proverbs 12:25NIV). God have given us the ability to make a difference through the words that we speak. Proverbs 25:11 says “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver” (KJV). When our words are formed as gifts of encouragement, given seasonably and applied properly, it adjust to the need of the person it’s spoken to and agrees with the character of the person speaking.

The gift of encouragement is free and renders no harmful consequence much like God’s unmerited grace towards us.

I will be the first to admit that it is not always an easy task to speak words of life to someone, especially when it is life that may have let us down. But it is our call to duty. Our individual responsibility to live out this divine assignment. Speaking life to anyone, including yourself, must be INTENTIONAL. It is a seed that always bears good fruit.

How will you be an encouragement to someone today? How will you encourage yourself?

My gift of encouragement to all of you:
You were created in God’s image and you are enough. He sees you in the spirit and He sees you perfectly. He considered you and called your name. Be confident in the faith. Be hopeful of your journey. I pray that you are strengthened by these words.