An Encouraging Word

Proverbs 12:25 (NLT) "Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up."

A struggling economy. Hatred. Self-indulgence. War. Poverty. Pain. Depression. Disease. And that is just on the front page of the newspaper! We live in a world consumed by all of this and more. Every day we are surrounded with negativity and a focus on self. Our society is lost and hopeless. To many there seems to be no light at the end of tunnel. The result is that "worry weighs a person down." More people are frustrated, upset, disgusted, tense, stressed, and sick. All because of worry.

What our world needs is Christ. What people in our sphere of influence need is an encouraging word. They need to know that God loves them. They need to know that while we were still sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). They need to know that in Christ there is hope.

It is time that we as believers start focusing on encouraging. We all enjoy an encouraging word. Several years ago people would stand on a street corner or in a mall with a sign that simply read: "Free Hugs." The goal was to simply give people a hug. Why? Because God created us not to be independent, but to be interdependent. We need each other. We need companionship. We need friendship. And what great group of people can be the encouragers in our society than those who have been encouraged through the grace of God?

Are you an encourager? Do people want to be around you? Practice JOY: Jesus, Others, You! Allow your life to be a source of love, gentleness, kindness and encouragement to those in your circle. Strive to cheer up at least 3 people each day. When that becomes too easy, double it. After awhile, you won't even think about it. It will happen naturally.

Oh, and by the way, let me encourage you today. Psalm 145:18 tells us: "The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth."