Do you desire to be an encourager to others? Do you want to make a real difference with others? The following is a list of 41 things that might be helpful to know if you desire to live as an encourager.
1. Know that your smile really makes a difference. God can use you to actually brighten someone’s day through your smile.
2. Know that many people are just one step away from significant life change. That difference may come in the form of God using you to encourage.
3. Know that God uses encouragers who are single and married, rich and poor, and old and young. Never assume that God will not use you to significantly encourage someone because you appear to be so different from that person.
4. Know that an encouraging word can make an incredible difference to someone who is discouraged. Meanwhile, a negative or harsh word might crush another and be remembered for many, many years.
5. Know the encouragement that someone receives from another can actually alter the course of one’s life. Such encouragement can help give a person the courage to make a difficult decision.
6. Know that Barnabas (in the book of Acts) was called the "son of encouragement" and played a critical role in encouraging others in the earliest churches.
7. Know that an encourager tries to catch another person doing right and affirms that person. (Don’t worry, there will always be people around who are trying to catch people doing the wrong thing.)
8. Know that the role of encourager is about cheering other people on. Think about how good it feels to know that someone is in your corner, cheering you on, and wanting you to do well.
9. Know that an encourager avoids one of the most deadly responses that people can make: silence. I wonder how many people have worked hard and made themselves vulnerable only to be met with a chilly silence by the people who matter most.
10. Know that the encouragement you give may seem unimportant. In fact, you may be unaware of how important it is. I was in my early years of college when I going through a rough period spiritually. I recall a man at the church where I grew up who would notice me whenever I was there. He didn’t say anything particularly memorable or profound. He would look at me when I came through the front doors and smile and wave. On most occasions he would shake my hand. As I look back, I think his attention gave me some encouragement.
Can I have permission to put these and following in our church bulletin at some point? I will give proper credit.
I would add that an encourager knows when to give an encouraging word and when to simply be with a person and ackowledge where they are and what they are going through. I’ve been the "victim" of a few people who, well-meaning though they might be, respond to my sharing a painful situation with something extremely positive – which negated the position I was in.
It’s like how one might use music to lift oneself out of a depressed moment. One wouldn’t immediately put on the most light-hearted and cheerful music, one would put on something in line with mood and slowly change the tone to become increasingly positive. An encourager will read the tone of the person and speak to that tone and work slowly with them to move beyond that place.
Jim,
Thank you so much for sharing these with us brother.
Your blog is a great tool and source of encouragement.
Brian,Absolutely! Feel free to use these. I am honored that you would want to do this.
debbiegrace,Very, very true. Encouragers seek wisdom to know what is appropriate at the moment. You said it well.
Kinney,I am glad you find this blog encouraging.
Jim,
I have in mind that I want to be "AN ENCOURAGER". I have been telling it to my wife, Tammy and my Daughter – Melissa about it a couple of weeks ago.
Now I found your website and I feel good that I am able to learn more about being one. Thanks for it, JIM.
Praise GOD. AMEN
praise God,
thats good stuff for my spiritual muscles.can being an encourager be ones purpose in life.do help me am trying to figure out God’s purpose in my life.i motivate people one on one and i encourage them too
Thanks for these great ideas and reminders. I’ve saved the list to my favorites and reread them several times.
I am a big fan of this site and I read it regularly. Keep up the good work!