Encourage Others While It Is Called 'Today'

"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'Today,' so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." -Hebrews 3:13

This past Sunday, my pastor preached a beautiful message on encouraging others. It was one of those messages where I spent half the time laughing and the other half wiping tear after tear away. Because I've forgotten how important it is to encourage others on this journey.

Life isn't easy. And right now, I'm experiencing hard moment after hard moment. But my pastor said something that really stuck with me. "Whatever it is you are going through, there is someone out there going through something far worse." And it's the truth.

I may be experiencing trials that are testing my commitment to my faith. I may be experiencing trials where I'm learning to rely solely on God. I may be experiencing trials where the world seems to be cutting me down at every turn. But I have the necessities of life. I have love and support from those around me. I have no room to complain.

As my pastor says, there are times in our life where we will be in great need of encouragement. Maybe we'll need a hug, a kind word, a note of appreciation. Other times, we will be a place of to greatly encourage others. We will provide the hugs. We will provide the words of encouragement. We will send the notes of appreciation.

Too often, I believe our society thinks offering advice is the best way to encourage people. "You need to do this." "You need to do that." I don't believe that's what we need. We need positive words and inspiration. We need people to say, "I've been where you are and I know that you will get through this. In the meantime, let me lend a listening ear." We don't need to lecture each other or offer unnecessary advice.

Let's encourage others to keep the faith. To fight. To take a stand. To keep moving forward. And we do that best with words of encouragement.

I'm praying for you.

I care about you.

You are a blessing to me.

Your attitude during this trial is an encouragement to me.

They are only words, but their power is mighty.

Before you decide to lecture or advise, try encouragement. It won't change anyone's situation, but it just might change their attitude amidst the trial they find themselves in.

--Jessica