Spirit Online
February 21, 2010
Quote
A word of encouragement during a failure is worth more than an hour of praise after success. -Anonymous
Scripture
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Message
God designed us to live in close community with others. He wants us to help each other grow. None of us will reach our highest potential by ourselves. We need people in our lives to encourage us, and we need to encourage the people in our lives, and help them reach their potential, as well. The word, encourage means, “to urge forward.” Many times, you can see things in other people what they don’t see for themselves. You can see their strengths and talents. You can see that God has a special plan for them even though they may be going through a difficult time.
Every one of us has been called to be an encourager, to do good, to build others up. When we speak words of encouragement, it releases a natural power that makes us feel good; encouragement heals, and attracts greater things. Encouragement can change and transform lives. It can mean the difference between keeping going and quitting, success and failure, happiness and despair. There is no greater feeling in the world than to have somebody believe in you and support you especially when you are having a moment when you don’t believe in yourself! So what can we do to allow ourselves to bless and be blessed by the energy of encouragement?
Begin with the practice of believing in others. If we want to get the best out of someone, focus on the best, not the worst of others. Set an intention to begin the practice of encouraging and believing in one another. Jesus was a model encourager – he believed in the best of everyone. He encourages us to seek, to ask, to knock, to forgive, to love, to have compassion, and to be kind to one another, and why? He believes in us and knew the truth in all of us, and he encourages us to know this truth for ourselves.
A good question to ask is, “How well do you believe in yourself? Are you willing to believe in your own greatness, your own magnificence, beauty, and talent? And are you willing to share that belief by believing in others, in their greatness and magnificence?” Affirm right now, “I am the light of the world. I am the temple of the living God. The kingdom of God is within me. I am here to do great things. I believe in myself…I believe in myself!” Now, think of somebody in your life – perhaps someone you have had a challenge believing in. Now see, know and feel this person in your mind’s eye and affirm, “You are the light of the world. You are the temple of the living God. The kingdom of God is within you. You are here to do great things. I believe in you…I believe in you!” Speaking words of encouragement to ourselves and to others allows the best to come forth and it all begins with practicing and believing in ourselves and others.
A second practice is appreciation. Cavett Roberts once said that millions of people go to bed hungry for food but even more people go to bed every night hungry for encouragement and appreciation. How appreciated do you feel? And how much appreciation do you express to those around you? Make it your personal goal to practice appreciation to all those you connect with but first begin with yourself. Write down 3 things you appreciate about yourself. Is it a physical attribute, something you accomplished this day, your organizational or math skills? Now think of others around you – gift them by sharing what you appreciate most about them, and do this daily! It says in Ephesians 4:29 “…be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another….” Build each other up by appreciating and telling each other, not just thinking it, but by taking action. Appreciation ignites and expands, it gives hope and joy, it builds us up and feeds the greatest hunger, which for all of us, is to be appreciated. Let us make it our goal that no one goes to bed at night hungry for appreciation, love and encouragement.
A final step is to pray for others. We can and do make a difference by praying. It makes a difference not only individually but also globally and is a powerful action we can each take, again for others as well as for ourselves. The very best prayer we can say is “thy will be done.” Let go of any preconceived thoughts or ideas of how we feel the outcome should be – release that to God. God knows what is highest and best for each of us.
Beginning right now, practice believing in, appreciating and praying for others and ourselves. When we do, we will truly be blessed and we will bless others with the energy of encouragement! God bless you all!
Prayer
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you dear Lord. As I set this intention to be the encourager, dear God, allow me to always be aware and to do my personal best for I know as I encourage, I am therefore, encouraged. As I bless, I am blessed. Thank you God, and so it is, Amen.
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