Truett Cathy got it right when he said, “How do you identify someone who needs encouragement? That person is breathing.” There is not a person alive that does not need encouragement. We all get discouraged and we all wonder if our lives are making a difference in this world. We need to encourage each other!!!!
There are many scriptures that tell us to encourage one another. Here are a few:
1 Thes. 4:18 So comfort and encourage each other with these words.
1 Thes. 5:11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
Hebrews 10:24 Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds
Here are some excellent quotes on encouragement:
“There are high spots in all of our lives and most of them have come about through encouragement from someone else.” ~George M. Adams
“You never know when a moment and a few sincere words can have an impact on a life.” ~Zig Ziglar
“Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
“The greatest good you can do for another is not just share your riches, but reveal to him his own.” ~Benjamin Disraeli
“Be hearty in your approbation and lavish in your praise” -Charles Schwab
When you are feeling discouraged, don’t wait for someone to encourage you, go encourage someone.
Encourage your parents, your spouse, your children, your friends, your neighbors, strangers, etc.
Encourage those who lead you – it is not easy making decisions that affect others.
Encourage those who serve you – they work hard and have feelings and a life apart from serving you.
Encourage a parent when you observe their children making wise choices – they need to know that their children are applying what they are teaching.
Encourage by noticing someone’s specific character traits. Here’s a list of character qualities to recognize and commend: http://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/adjectives-personality-positive.htm
Encourage your children even if they aren’t getting everything right. “I have yet to find the man, however exalted his station, who did not do better work and put forth a greater effort under a spirit of approval then under a spirit of criticism.” ~Charles Schwab. Here’s a printable list of words to use to encourage a child: http://www.tivywhitlock.com/files/72717355.pdf
Lead your children to look for ways to encourage others. It comes naturally for some; for others they need to be led to do it. As you travel this summer as a family, be intentional in encouraging those you come in contact with.
Thank you for encouraging me by reading what I have written and showing an interest in the training of children. May you be encouraged today!!! And just in case no one has applauded you yet, this is for you:
