The Power of Encouragement
A recent dinner guest at our home left a lasting impression on me. This young man, a friend of my son’s, was charming, courteous, and thoughtful. However, as we conversed, I detected a hint of negativity beneath his pleasant demeanor. He complained about his school, job, and even his friendships. I attempted to infuse some hope and encouragement into our conversation, but he seemed resistant to listening.
The Voice of Doom
This encounter reminded me that we all have an inner critic that can be debilitating. It’s the voice that whispers, “I’m not good enough, talented enough, or educated enough.” But God wants us to silence this voice and instead build each other up. In 1 Thessalonians, Apostle Paul exhorts us to encourage one another, just as Jesus exemplified during His time on earth.
A Source of Hope
As followers of Christ, we’re called to be agents of encouragement, reminding others of their identity in Him. We all need reassurance and someone to lift us up when we’re struggling. By offering hope and support, we can prevent the echoes of doom from drowning out the gentle voices of those who care, including our Lord’s reassuring voice of hope and possibilities.
A Prayer of Gratitude
Dear Lord, I’m grateful for Your outpouring of grace and loving encouragement. May we be a reflection of this gift by offering hope and support to those around us, especially in times of disappointment and despair. Amen.
The Ripple Effect of Encouragement
When we choose to encourage others, we create a ripple effect that can have far-reaching consequences. By building confidence in others and serving as a source of encouragement, we can help prevent the voice of doom from taking hold. Let’s strive to be a source of hope and support to those around us, reflecting the loving encouragement we’ve received from our Lord.
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