Encouragement cost you nothing

Over the last few years I have become painfully aware of inflation. It seems like every time I go to the store to pick up something I’m shocked by the price. Almost everything from groceries to cars to real estate to the basic necessities in life have gone up.

You know what hasn’t gone up in price? Encouragement. Inflation has not increased the price of encouragement.

When I get something for free, usually the first thing I want to do is use it. You would think encouragement is expensive considering how sparingly some people use it.

Have you noticed how many people around you are discouraged? You may not be able to change their circumstances but you can offer some words of encouragement that might get them through a tough stretch of life.

Proverbs 12:25 says, "Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” Some people carry anxiety around like a backpack. If we are not tuned into the people around us we might miss it.

I was praying for some of my extended family members the other day and I felt prompted to send them an encouraging text. These two guys are in a world of hurt. They rarely, if ever, respond to my text or thank me. I’m telling you this because some people expect reciprocity in return for their encouragement. Encouragement is a gift, not a relationship transaction.

Romans 12:8 lists encouragement as a spiritual gift. One might be tempted to say, “I don’t think I have that gift.” Let me state the obvious: you don’t have to have the gift of encouragement to be an encourager. It’s an act of love, and we are all called to love our neighbor.

Right now take a minute and think about someone in your life who needs encouragement. Who would that be? Now, I want to encourage you to take action. If you are going to encourage someone, put your heart into it. Offer up your best words. Maybe it will come in the form of a text, email, phone call, or best of all an in-person conversation. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by.

Stay close to Jesus,

Steve