encouragement

Have you ever needed encouragement in your life?

 

I would guess that you have.

 

We all do at times.

 

Encouragement is like a cool breeze on a hot summer day.  It revives and refreshes.  It is like a cold drink to quench your thirst.  It renews and gives strength.

 

It helps you overcome when  you feel overwhelmed.  It helps you soar rather than sink.

 

It helps you to be a victor rather than a victim.

 

Here's what I know:  We all hunger and thirst for encouragement.

 

When encouragement comes our way, we soak it up like a sponge.  We're ready for more because that's what gets u through the day.

 

This day - be an encourager and not a discourager.

 

What are the characteristics of an encourager?

 

They give freely of their resources.  They recognize that what they haven't doesn't belong to them but to God.  They have an open handed philosophy of life.

 

Corrie Ten Boom says it well, "I've learned not to hold onto anything too tightly because it hurts too much to have God pry back my fingers to get to it.  So I've learned to live  my life with an open hand so that God can put in and he can take out whatever he wants, and that way I never miss the blessing."

 

Encouragers accept you where you are.  They are willing to accept you where you are and help you get to where you need to be.  They realize that none of us came to Christ with an advantage.

 

Encouragers get excited about the progress of others.  The rejoice and get excited when others succeed in their marriages, parenting or at their jobs.

 

Encouragers meet the current need.  They sit in the back seat and let somebody else drive if that's what brings God glory.

 

Encouragers give others a second chance.  They realize that one failure doesn't mean total failure.  They are quick to say, "try again".

 

Every day, you and I make messes.  The last thing we need is for someone to come along and say, "what a mess!"  What we need is the fresh air of encouragement.

 

I encourage you to find two or three people today and give them a wonderful, sincere word of encouragement. 

 

Just a thought for a Wednesday.