Mark Twain once said, “I can live two months on one good compliment.” There’s a lot of truth to that statement, isn’t there?
The legendary basketball coach John Wooden, who coached the UCLA Bruins to eleven national championships, instructed his players that whenever a basket was made the player who scored was required to smile, wink, nod, or point to the player who passed him the ball. When Coach Wooden gave these instructions to one of his teams, a new player said, “But coach, what if he’s not looking?” Wooden replied, “I guarantee you he’ll look!” He was right, because everyone is looking for encouragement and affirmation.
The Apostle Paul instructed us to encourage. He said, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29).
In case you needed some more biblical proof that we should be encouragers, check out…
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Hebrews 10:23-25
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Colossians 3:16
Proverbs 27:17
Hebrews 3:13
Ephesians 4:12
Romans 14:19
Romans 15:2
I could go on, but I think you get the point: we are to encourage others. Instead of tearing down others, we should focus on lifting up others. Let me give you a few ways we can be encouragers:
1. Be intentional.
Hebrews 3:13 says, “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. TODAY is the day to encourage. Encourage…make it happen…TODAY. Write that card TODAY. Make that phone call TODAY. Say “I love you” TODAY. Give forgiveness and grace TODAY. Don’t procrastinate…do it TODAY! Don’t miss the opportunity to be an encourager!
2. Be practical.
Think about a specific way you can encourage someone today. Perhaps you can write them an encouraging note. Or give them a gift. Or spend some time with them. Or give them a hug. Or listen to them. How can you practically encourage them today?
3. Be personal.
Make the encouragement heart-felt. Share your heart. Share your love. Make it real, and make it personal.
Who can you encourage today?