You Need To Know The Blessing Of Simple Encouragement

Sharing is caring!

Are you generous with the blessing of simple encouragement?

Paul closed his second letter to the people in Corinth with these words:

Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

2 Corinthians 13:11

Today, I want to share one of Rev’s favorite early seminary days memories, he wrote…

It is etched in my mind—though it was more than 50 years ago—I was only 22! Anyone who knows me knows that whenever the subject of encouragement comes to mind, I have to start here.

My fieldwork church was blessed with two enormously gifted Bible study teachers—pastors/writers who worked for Concordia Publishing House, andeac took turns teaching the Sunday morning adult Bible Study class.

One of them, Pastor Eldon Weisheit, asked me to pinch-hit and teach the class. It was my first time teaching an adult class. I was nervous … fearful, would be a better word. No, let’s go with petrified.

When the day I feared came, I started with prayer, one I’d written and simply read.

When I looked up, I was extremely surprised to see Pastor Weisheit walking in and taking a seat in the back of the room. I thought I was teaching because they were both gone. I guess he just wanted a week off.

I soldiered on. It was terrible. I was terrible.

I thought it might go horribly. My prophecy was fulfilled. It was worse than I imagined.

When it was finally over, before I could dismiss the class, Pastor Weisheit jumped up, came to the front of the classroom, put his arm around me, and said to the class. “Didn’t he do a great job?”

There was some polite applause. Then he brought me closer and said, “Isn’t he going to make a great pastor?”

His enthusiasm was contagious because everyone responded with enthusiastic applause.

And then and there I learned:

The powerful and transforming blessing of simple encouragement!

Giving and receiving simple encouragement blesses the recipient and the giver. When you and I encourage someone, we are inspiring them with courage, spirit, or confidence, according to the dictionary.

So, an uplifting word, whether written or spoken, offers:

• Hope for the Future
• Courage to Keep Going—to Not Give Up
• Strength for the Moment
• A Lightened Burden
• And the Realization that You’re Not Alone

Paul wrote…

Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

Ephesians 4:29

Jesus, the best encourager ever, promised…

Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28 (CSB)

Don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.

Luke 12:32

God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.

Matthew 5:9

God graciously gives each of us the ability to offer the blessing of simple encouragement. May we give it generously with humble enthusiasm and receive it with humility and gratitude.

Let’s pray…

A Prayer to Live the Blessing of Simple Encouragement

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us the blessing of simple encouragement. Thank you for Jesus, who showed us how to give and receive it with humility, grace, and love.

Thank you for people like Pastor Weisheit, who saw the need for an uplifting word and offered it quickly. He didn’t wait for a private moment but gave everyone in the room the opportunity to inspire Rev, giving him the courage to continue pursuing a life in ministry.

Please forgive me for the times when I’m so self-absorbed or distracted by life that I fail to see the opportunities I have to lift and brighten the spirit of the people around me. If I think something kind and heart-warming, help me say it out loud.

Please give me patience and a heart to notice those who need a kind word of simple encouragement. Give me a kind and caring heart. By Your grace, help me bless the people around me by sharing hope, courage, strength, and the friendship that helps them know they aren’t alone.

I pray this in the name of Jesus, who promised to help us carry our burdens when we bring them to Him. Amen.

Chuck Swindoll wrote…

 “Encouragement is awesome. It (can) actually change the course of another person’s day, week, or life.”

And Rev affirmed those words, saying…

I can honestly say that moment was a turning point in my life. In a way, nothing had changed. But, in a way, everything had changed. Someone I admired, who had a pastor’s heart, believed in me. He could see something no one else did. Something even I didn’t see in that moment.

Rev was a generous encourager, and I was blessed!

Are you an encourager? A good listener who offers words of affirmation and hope?

Can you imagine the difference we could make in this world if we all resolved to share positive words that offer hope, courage, and kindness?

Let’s make it our goal this year to live the Golden Rule…

Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.

Matthew 7:12

Let’s be clothed with kindness…

Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Colossians 3:12

May God bless you and give you everything you need to be a consistent encourager.

I’ve learned that people try harder and refuse to give up when they know that someone cares. And praise God, who promises to give us everything we need to love one another with simple encouragement.

We would love to pray for you.
You can leave your prayer requests here…

and even take a few minutes to pray over the list left by our friends.

Never Miss an Update

Leave your email address and I’ll send you a short email every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to alert you to each new devotion. Plus you’ll receive a copy of 30 Ways to Bless Your Marriage and Keep the Spark Burning

I always enjoy hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi” and share your thoughts in the comments below.

And if this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Maybe a friend, family member, coworker, or through the links below…

Thanks again for visiting! Don’t forget to check out the links below to find additional posts that will bless you…

Sharing is caring!