The Importance of Encouragement
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection. Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.”
2 Corinthians 13:8–10
I read about a young lady named Mary who had a tough day at school. As soon as she got home, she started commiserating about it. She moaned, “Nobody loves me. the whole school hates me. In fact, the whole world hates me!” Her teenage brother quickly responded, “That’s not true, Mary. Some people don’t even know you.” There are many times when those around us fail to provide the help and encouragement that we could use in a difficult moment.
In truth, all of us have the opportunity to edify and encourage others, and that is God’s plan for our lives. God’s creation was perfect before sin entered the world, yet God still said it was “not good” for man to be alone. While that specifically referred to marriage, it is true in every area of life. We are not designed to live in isolation. Solomon wrote, “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10).
While we cannot guarantee we will always receive words of encouragement from others, we do have full control over what others hear from us. We always have the ability to speak kindly. As someone once said, “Nice is free.” There are no shortage of people around us who would be thrilled to hear a word of comfort and hope from someone who cares.
2 Corinthians 13:8–10
I read about a young lady named Mary who had a tough day at school. As soon as she got home, she started commiserating about it. She moaned, “Nobody loves me. the whole school hates me. In fact, the whole world hates me!” Her teenage brother quickly responded, “That’s not true, Mary. Some people don’t even know you.” There are many times when those around us fail to provide the help and encouragement that we could use in a difficult moment.
In truth, all of us have the opportunity to edify and encourage others, and that is God’s plan for our lives. God’s creation was perfect before sin entered the world, yet God still said it was “not good” for man to be alone. While that specifically referred to marriage, it is true in every area of life. We are not designed to live in isolation. Solomon wrote, “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10).
While we cannot guarantee we will always receive words of encouragement from others, we do have full control over what others hear from us. We always have the ability to speak kindly. As someone once said, “Nice is free.” There are no shortage of people around us who would be thrilled to hear a word of comfort and hope from someone who cares.
Today’s Growth Principle:
A few kind words of encouragement cost us nothing, but they mean so very much to the hearer.
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