Have You Encouraged Someone Today?
It always feels good when someone tells us we look good, or they think our idea at work is a winner and we should go for it, but too often we don't take the power of encouragement as seriously as we should. The Scripture says, "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'Today,' so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness" (Hebrews 3:13). To encourage means "to impart courage, to make fearless, to make brave." God is saying that if we stand together like the defensive line on a football team, we will stand victoriously against the enemy's deceit and discouragement. That's a powerful promise.
A few years ago, I had a friend whose family lost all their material possessions when a flood of water came rushing into their house. Her family was safe, but she left with nothing. She was sitting in a shelter, so overwhelmed, so numb, and felt as though she couldn't even move. And then into that atmosphere of defeat, her friend showed up with...of all things...a bag full of makeup. My friend said, "Not only did God tell her the color foundation I wear, but she brought all the extras--the mascara, the blush, and the lip gloss." Her friend was the instrument that allowed God to breathe life back into her soul. A simple act of encouragement defeated the enemy that day.
God has instructed us in His Word on how to operate at our highest potential and performance, namely through encouraging one another. But the enemy constantly works to isolate us, deceive us, and discourage us. He wants to take our courage and subtract from what God is doing in our lives. I've seen people get so discouraged, so down, so defeated, that they can't even think straight, let alone stand against the enemy. You know those times when the enemy has gotten in and is having a heyday in your mind. He tells you that you're not good enough, you can't do it, you'll never get well, and you may as well quit trying. But when you have people around you who take their defensive stand with you and encourage you, you will rise up and defeat the enemy together.
How different would our world look if we all encouraged someone daily? How strong would we be with our arms linked together in defense? God wants us to show up strong with encouragement for other people. Encourage your family, encourage your children, encourage your coworkers, encourage your boss, encourage your pastor. Ask God to give you someone today to encourage in a meaningful and profound way. Push back the darkness with encouragement every day.
A few years ago, I had a friend whose family lost all their material possessions when a flood of water came rushing into their house. Her family was safe, but she left with nothing. She was sitting in a shelter, so overwhelmed, so numb, and felt as though she couldn't even move. And then into that atmosphere of defeat, her friend showed up with...of all things...a bag full of makeup. My friend said, "Not only did God tell her the color foundation I wear, but she brought all the extras--the mascara, the blush, and the lip gloss." Her friend was the instrument that allowed God to breathe life back into her soul. A simple act of encouragement defeated the enemy that day.
God has instructed us in His Word on how to operate at our highest potential and performance, namely through encouraging one another. But the enemy constantly works to isolate us, deceive us, and discourage us. He wants to take our courage and subtract from what God is doing in our lives. I've seen people get so discouraged, so down, so defeated, that they can't even think straight, let alone stand against the enemy. You know those times when the enemy has gotten in and is having a heyday in your mind. He tells you that you're not good enough, you can't do it, you'll never get well, and you may as well quit trying. But when you have people around you who take their defensive stand with you and encourage you, you will rise up and defeat the enemy together.
How different would our world look if we all encouraged someone daily? How strong would we be with our arms linked together in defense? God wants us to show up strong with encouragement for other people. Encourage your family, encourage your children, encourage your coworkers, encourage your boss, encourage your pastor. Ask God to give you someone today to encourage in a meaningful and profound way. Push back the darkness with encouragement every day.