A Tool for Encouragement

Each one helps his neighbor and says to his brother, "Be strong!" So the craftsman encourages the smelter, and he who smoothes metal with the hammer encourages him who beats the anvil, saying of the soldering, "It is good," and he fastens it with nails, so that it will not totter. Isaiah 41:6:7

Oh that we would begin to encourage others with the same passion as these idolaters encouraged one another!

Recently I have begun to realize the power of spoken words. I find that when I speak truth out loud, it has a way of shifting my inner world for good. And there have been numerous times a word of encouragement has been spoken to me by a friend that has been life giving.

Each of us has the power to speak life or death over other people's lives. We speak life whenever we quote portions of Scripture, speak truths about God, speak positive words over a person, or speak hope into situations. We speak death when our words are critical, abusive, negative, or insensitive.

Last week, God lead me to write a two page letter to my husband. At present, he walks in discomfort over circumstances in his life that are out of his control. I know what God is doing. He is using all of it to help Tim find his security, identity, and refuge in Christ. I wrote the letter to speak truth and life into his soul. It will be the platform for future conversations with him. My own journey over the past two years will become a reference point for me.

Whether it is my husband, a family member, a dear friend, or an acquaintance, may I take each interaction with them to verbally encourage them. It WILL make a difference for them. I saw it work in my own life and still do.

Father, may my mouth be Your tool to encourage others. Amen.

A Necessary Change

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12

God’s principles are such that they don’t always come naturally to us. We live in a world where needs run high, expectations run deep, and longings run rampant. How easy it is to live our lives looking for others to fix us, heal us, encourage us, affirm us, carry us, restore us, and just plain love us. While we are looking to receive, God is urging us to give.

I have often looked at a verse like Matthew 7:12 and limited its meaning to treating people the way I want to be treated. The idea (in my thinking) was that if I do that they will reciprocate. In a sense, I am simply giving to get. God’s ways are higher!

Last night this verse hit me in a way I have not been able to escape. I have pondered it through out the night and it still has my attention this morning. What is God doing with it? He is causing me to search my heart and ask myself what it is I am looking for others to do or be for me. Then He is taking that “list” and helping me to see the necessity of doing and being exactly that to others. For instance, start encouraging others, speak affirming words to others, be upbeat and positive toward others, show an interest in others, nurture others. Why? So they will in turn be that way toward me? No! That would mean I am dependent on them and connected to them to meet my deepest heart needs. God knows that is an endless cycle and doesn’t work.

My Christian life is meant to be such that I live so connected to the heart of God that He fulfills the needs of my heart. As I take in what He has to offer me on a daily basis I am free to then live for others out of ministry instead of deprivation, hunger, and emptiness. God will give me what people are unable or unwilling to give, and out of the abundance of what He gives me I can turn around and lavish it on others. This is a new thought for me and one that is meant to change the way I have been living in relationship to others. May God guide me in the process of seeing it become a reality!

Father, I am catching a glimpse of one of Your principles this morning that is about to revolutionize my life. May I live out its truths today! Amen.