I Thessalonians 5:15b
encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
I am not a preacher, but when I saw this verse, I felt led to write on it. According to Our Daily Bread today is National Day of Encouragement. This day was declared by the US Senate on September 12, 2001 in honor of the over four hundred first responders who lost their lives. Wow! I wonder if many people know about this day. I did not know about this day of encouragement. Encouragement is something I strive to do every day.
This verse could apply to people who work with others. My job is to help others in the using the self-check registers. I notice if I encourage people, especially the senior citizens, they find self-check registers can be easy to use. Of course, not all self-check registers are top-of-the-line like the ones at my store, so it is no wonder people are afraid of them.
I also try to encourage people I encounter on social media. Sometimes someone will post they are going through a rough time in their lives. While some will say “that’s life, buckle up”, I find if I write words of encouragement the person can get through their tough time easier. This is true for young people who have a tougher time navigating life.
Yet I am not perfect in this, not by a long shot. I find myself being often self-centered and being the one who needs the encouragement. I hate it when that happens. I have gotten so use to being self-reliant I do not like to ask for help or encouragement. Yet, I am alone much of the time when I am not at work and so when I am with people, I trust I tend to talk about myself more than I would like to talk about myself. My cat just does not seem to want to listen to my problems.
I belong to a couple of Christian mental health Facebook groups. I even have one of my own called Christianity and Mental Health. These places are where Christians who have mental health issues can be open to discuss them without judgement. I do not often join the discussion, mostly due to lack of time, but when I do, I try to use my training in counseling to be an encouragement. However, I make sure I inform them, while I am trained as a counselor, I am not a licensed counselor.
How can I encourage you today? Is there something you are struggling with you want words of encouragement to help you through? Even if it is just something you need me to pray about, I am good at praying for others. Comment below or message me on Facebook or join my group https://www.facebook.com/groups/2513278299000084 .
Below is books I recommend from Christianbook.com Home
| The Joy of Encouragement: Unlock the Power of Building Others Up – eBook By David Jeremiah / Multnomah Although you likely haven’t received a minute’s training in medicine, you can offer to anyone the greatest power of healing available: that of encouragement. In this readable, practical book, David Jeremiah examines the heart of encouragement … self-giving, genuine love … and shows how you can eagerly and easily lift up those around you. An encouragement itself, The Joy of Encouragement is scriptural and uplifting, enabling you to bask in God’s love while simultaneously giving it away. The world is about to be radically reshaped, one word at a time! |
| The Ministry of Encouragement! By Vincent N. Paul / Xulon Press |
I’m finding how encouraging other can be a pick-me-up to yourself, knowing that you are someone’s cheerleader
Lifting people up helps us become better. It is a great tool!
What a beautiful and inspiring post! I think every day should be National Encouragement day.. we all could use this positivity in our lives! Thank you ❤
True encouragement does go a long way and doesn’t cost anything. I especially like encouragement that is specific, like from a person who has observed something specific in my life to encourage me on, even without me telling them anything first.
Very insightful! We should always look to encourage others, and I know for myself, if someone encourages me, it changes my entire perspective and attitude to the day!
I enjoy your posts. They are straight and to the point – easy reads for sure. I love to encourage people….I find it as encouraging to do as to receive it. Thanks for sharing!
Very nice. Encouragement is important for all, even ourselves. Thank you.
I didn’t know that either, thanks for sharing!
Life would be so much better if we all looked for opportunities to encourage each other.
I had no idea about encouragement day but I definitely think it’s wonderful to encourage others. You never know what’s going on in others lives that a little encouragement can get them out of their funk.
I love the idea of the day of encouragement. It is definitely something we should all make a conscious effort to do every day!
I’ve never heard of that. Thanks for sharing!
This came at a perfect time for me. Thank you so much. Sometimes I doubt myself, and I need to get better at being encouraging. Thanks for the book recommendations, too!
I didn’t know that the 12th was the day of encouragement. It is also the day that my first husband died, Sept. 12, 2012. He had suffered from many medical problems the whole time we were married. So when he passed I was actually relieved. I could hear God tell me that now he was healed completely. The next day, I opened the window curtain and the sun was shining like nothing had happened. Then God brought to my mind a song and I started singing. “The sun will come out tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow there’ll be sun shine.” If the tomorrow shows up, then God’s not done, He still has something for us to do today.
So sorry for your loss.
We all could use a day of encouragement!
I tend to also be self-reliant and don’t ask for help either. It’s hard sometimes.
I agree… encouraging others can be just as much of a boost for yourself, as it is for the person you are helping. We all need encouragement at some point.
Thanks for the reminder of how powerful it is for us to see capabilities in each other.
I needed this today. Thank you for the inspiration!
We need this as a nation so much right now!
It’s great that you are so willing to offer your encouragement.
Thank you for the encouragement! Each day is a challenge!
Encouragement is such a gift and a blessing to others!