Encouraging Words

Life can bring about circumstances in our lives that cause us to become discouraged. Women especially fall into "blue" periods, and sometimes we don't even know the reason or the core of the emotion we're feeling. Can you look back at a time like that in your life when you were feeling low, and out of the blue, a friend or a family member would call and by the end of the conversation, you are uplifted in spirit and encouraged? Words that we say are powerful! They can be tools of destruction, or tools of encouragement. One word spoken out of anger or without thinking first can bring such pain, and the worst part of it is, once spoken, it cannot be taken back, erased, or forgotten. But how precious are the words spoken that encourage and uplift us and give us a sense of peace or joy. Mothers of small children should especially be concerned about the words spoken to their children. Children have long memories and tender souls. We can either build up esteem with encouraging words, or we can tear down esteem by a careless word spoken without thought.

Proverbs has so many good verses about the words we speak:

"A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." Proverbs 25:11 - Isn't that a beautiful picture! That word we speak in encouragement becomes beautiful and precious to the hearer.

"A man finds joy in giving an apt reply--and how good is a timely word!" Proverbs 15:23 - There is nothing that brings joy to a hurting heart more than someone who has gone through similar circumstances and spoken a word of encouragement to let us know they understand and we are not alone. They lift us up and allow us to continue on with more resolve and hope.

"The tongue has the power of life and death--and those who love it will eat its fruit." Proverbs 18:21 - The words we speak can kill the spirit within another person and destroy all confidence, self-esteem and feelings of worth so quickly. Those words are never easily forgotten and unfortunately cannot be erased easily from the mind. In some cases we are so overcome by thoughtless words that they drive our thoughts about ourselves years later. How much better to give the words of "life"--those encouraging words that push us forward to attain the goals set before us, that drive us to keep on going because we know someone cares about the success of our achievements.

Is there someone you know that you could speak an encouraging word to today? Everyone needs that pat on the back, that assurance from others that they are doing a good job, that they are not alone, that they can face the future with hope, that they are a beautiful worthwhile person in your eyes, and that God loves them. Look for opportunities to say "good job" to those around you!

Thank you for your encouragement to me!
Sandy