3 Minute Read

Prepare Your Heart

To the best of your ability, get rid of all distractions. Take a few minutes to breathe deeply and quiet yourself in the Lord’s presence. Then, ask the Lord to speak to you in this time. Let Him know that you will listen and make whatever adjustments He will reveal to you.

Read God’s Word

Proverbs 12-13
2 Corinthians 6:14-7:16

A Verse for Today

Slowly and reflectively read the following verse(s) and listen to what God will say to you through His written Word. Consider writing down any insights He reveals to you.

Proverbs 12:25 (CSB): “Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up.”

Reflecting on God’s Word

What occupies our minds really does have tangible effects on our bodies. If we are worried about something and let that worry linger, we’ll start to feel the effects. Our cortisol levels will increase, along with our heart rate and blood pressure. Our breathing will get shallower, and we may end up with an upset stomach. We could go on and on about how worry (what occupies our mind) can wreak havoc on our bodies.

If we see someone who is worried, we may need to feel out the situation before determining the best course of action. Should we immediately step in to fix the problem, or would it be more appropriate for us to just ask questions and listen, or should we speak powerful, encouraging words? Each situation, and the moments in those situations, is different and requires wisdom to know how best to respond.

Whenever you have the chance to speak encouraging words at the appropriate time, seize it!

Encouraging words are powerful!

Proverbs 16:24 (CSB): “Pleasant words are a honeycomb: sweet to the taste and health to the body.”

Proverbs 18:21 (CSB): “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Since encouraging words are so powerful and good, it’s not wonder that our God calls us to encourage each other.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (CSB): “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.”

Hebrews 10:24-25 (CSB): “And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.”

So, my friend, I hope you will look for an opportunity today to say a sincere, well-intentioned, word of encouragement to someone else. You’re going to have air pass over your vocal chords thousands of times today. Might as well use a few of those times to say the words that someone else may need to hear.

Spend Time in Prayer

  • Ask God to help you realize the power you have within your mouth to say encouragement words to lift up others.
  • Ask God to give you an opportunity today to say those words.

Going Deeper

If you want to dig a little deeper into what the Bible calls “the gift of encouragement,” consider reading the following GotQuestions article:

“What is the gift of encouragement?”

Sharing

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Matt Ellis is the pastor of White Hall Baptist Church in Richmond, Kentucky (whitehallbaptistchurch.org)