- photo by Susan PageEncouragement:

• giving hope or promise, to spur on ... to inspire with courage.
• the raising of one’s confidence ... instilling life, energy, courage, or vigour.

Did you ever take the time to think about how little effort it takes to encourage someone? It is something that can take minimal time while reaping lasting results.

You might already be rationalizing away the idea that you do not need to encourage someone today because the gift of encouragement is not one of your spiritual gifts. In Romans 12: 6 to 8 the Apostle Paul speaks about the use of the gifts we are given. In verse eight it says: “If it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” All these gifts have a form of encouragement woven within them.

What is your love language? My love language is the gift of words. During my years of ministry where I wrote a monthly devotional for the organization's Prayer Guide, I received some beautiful notes that were a source of great encouragement. Several individuals took the time to jot down a few lines which gave me a tremendous boost and spurred me on in my writing!

I know that we can be encouragers every day. Now, we want to be genuine about it. Do not stretch the truth to the point that a person sees right through it. I found that at a previous workplace, I could, for example, tell an elderly patient that the colour she was wearing suited her so well and that one simple statement would bring such a smile to her face, which in turn blessed me. I believe those who encourage are joyful because a blessing always comes back to you. We can always take the time to drop a line, write a card, phone a greeting, or tell someone that they are doing an excellent job. Remember, it only takes a small amount of time and a little thoughtfulness. We can completely turn another person’s entire day around by one simple act of encouragement.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10: 24, 25).Susan Page is the daughter of the King, His beloved child, wonderfully forgiven and blessed! Susan longs to age gracefully, becoming more like Jesus as she seeks the hidden treasures revealed to her through Scripture, literature, the arts, humankind, and nature.