Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV)
Some people I know just seem to always do it right; they seem to know just the right thing to say at the exact moment that it needs to be said. Then there are some of us who struggle with words, compliments, and when, where, and what to say.
I heard the most incredible thought just the other day. A pastor was making reference to being an encourager. He said some of us are gifted in this area naturally and some of us are not. He went on to say that many of us need to train ourselves in this area. That caught my attention. I might need to train myself to be an encourager. I don’t think I ever thought about that before and it gave me a bit of a challenge. We train for many things in our lives and we can train ourselves to make a personality trait difference with a little extra thought and training.
The Lord tells us in Thessalonians to build each other up and not to tear each other down. So many times in life there are people who somehow feel that they have the right to tell things to you straight up. Usually, the words that they choose are hurtful and unkind. What a shame that we feel that it is our place to break someone’s spirit or to knock them down a few pegs. There are many verses that tell us to encourage and build up and not tear down. If you are not inclined to do this, go hit the pavement, and start training yourself.
The more you encourage someone else, the more you will find that you are the one being encouraged. The more you practice this wonderful gift of encouragement, the more you will find yourself doing it over and over. It will become so natural that you won’t even realize you’re doing it.
Written by Lynn Wilson: Lynn is a full time working mom and wife. She lives and works at America’s Keswick for over 20 years with her family. Lynn and her husband have served as a team in ministry and have a heart to see the Lord’s people rise up and serve in their local church, In addition….Lynn is a speaker for women’s events and conferences.