A Channel of Encouragement

Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble. Say to those with anxious heart, take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance, the recompense of God will come, but He will save you. Isaiah 35:3,4

I like the 35th chapter of Isaiah. It is a chapter full of hope and promise. Each of us faces times of exhaustion and feebleness physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It becomes easy to stay in a cocoon of discouragement. God knows when we have hit that point.

I have noticed today's verse isn't telling the person to encourage and strengthen themselves. God is telling us to do that for one another. Yet it is not always easy to see when someone is struggling. After all, when was the last time you recall someone raising their hand in a prayer service and admitting they ached from exhaustion and weakness? Even when someone asks them how they are doing, they give the quick "fine." We have somehow bought into the lie that we must always appear strong. And yet we soak our pillow with tears in the night feeling like God is the only One who cares, understands, or even wants to hear the truth.

May He open our eyes to the heart conditions of those around us. May He help us to see when someone is quieter than usual, withdrawing into themselves, or avoiding usual activities. Then may He give us the insight and wisdom to know how to draw truth out of them.

Lasting encouragement will come as we redirect their thinking back to God and His ability to lift them up. It takes time, prayer, and usage of Scripture. The full light may not come on for them right away. But a little encouragement at a time, over a long period of time, will ultimately have amazing affects. Many times we are called upon to use an "eye dropper" not a fire hose when speaking words of encouragement to a person. May we be loving and patient as we seek to plant the right seeds.

Father, open my eyes to those in need of encouragement today. Help me catch the slightest clue that their internal world is about to collapse. I know You will give me the words and opportunities. Thank you. Amen.