ENCOURAGEMENT IS A DAILY THING

Encouragement takes persistence. Persistence takes patience. Just because you have encouraged someone once does not mean that your role of encouragement in his or her life is over. They did not become discouraged overnight, and they will not often become re-encouraged overnight.

Encouragement is like that. It takes layers of love and great patience to
replenish, restore, and put courage back into a heart. Patience is an
important part of encouragement.

2 Timothy 4:2 also says that we are to encourage others with careful
instruction, being sensitive to the condition of the learner, to the one who
is in need of encouragement. Learning does not begin with the truth. Learning begins with the learner and requires loving flexibility. Instruction that is wrapped with encouragement really works. No one cares how much you know until they know just how much you care. I have heard it said that advice and instruction are like snow. The softer they fall - the deeper they stick. Sensitive instruction is encouragement.

Encouragement stays close. It is encouraging to know that we are not alone, that someone else is close by, in the rocking boat with us. Remember that one of the definitions of encouragement is "to be beside." A shared joy is a double joy, but a shared sorrow is half a sorrow. God has given us to each other so that we can share the load. A shared load is always a lighter load.

Ecclesiastes 4:12

I read about an ingenious teenager who grew tired of reading bedtime stories to his little sister. So he decided to record several of her favorite stories on tape. He gave her a tape player and plugged in the tape. "Now you can hear your stories anytime you want. Isn't that great?" he said. She looked at the machine for a moment and then replied, "No. It hasn't got a lap."

We all need the closeness of relationship. We all need to know we are loved. We all need encouragement. Staying close to those who need you brings them encouragement.

Encouragement is a daily thing. "Encourage one another daily" (Hebrews 3:13

An encourager is one who knows you as you are, understands where you've been, accepts who you've become, and still gently invites you to grow. How often do we need to practice encouragement? Daily. Continually. Constantly.

Encouragers look for opportunities to work. Acts 4:36

This cold and dark world is hungry for the touch of someone who cares, for a word of kindness, for an act of compassion. This world - your world - is
reaching out to you for encouragement. Be an encourager.

LET'S PRAY:
Father, I come, asking You to teach me how to be an encouragement to those around me. Help me to see those who are hurting. Don't let me miss the broken hearts that cross my path. Give me the wisdom and love to be "God with skin on" to the people in my world.  In Jesus' name, Amen.