The Ministry of Encouragement

I wish I can say that the term "Ministry of Encouragement" was my invention. It isn't. I read it in my daily devotional by Nancy Leigh DeMoss and I loved it. This is what Nancy has to say about the importances of encouragement and I couldn't agree more:

In a world where terrorism, war, violence, and divorce are everyday topics, one of the most vital ministries we can have as women is the ministry of encouragement.

We've all felt the energy-draining effects of the discourager. Discouraging people drag us down instead inspiring us to hope and take heart in God.  

Being an encourager doesn't come naturally for most of us, but, for a believer, it's not an option. It's a command based in the love of God.

Thirty-two times in the New Testament we are reminded of things we are to do for “one another.” One of these commands is to encourage one another (Heb. 3:13). When we encourage others, we are reflecting the heart of God, who is “the God of encouragement” (Rom. 15:5).

So, lets make it our mission to be encouragers, to help others — not only those within your home, but those at your church, school, workplace, extended family, your next door neighbour, your neighbourhood or even complete strangers. God doesn't tell us to only encourage "nice people" or those "just like us", He tells us to reach out to all people and that is why we need to be encouragers — we have been commanded to love one another, so lets get on with it as it isn't really that hard.

Why not start today and offer a kind word, a helping hand, a hug, a ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, a note of friendship sent in the post, a bunch of flowers, a casserole for a tired mum —

Because the more we encourage others the less lonely, sad and hurting people there will be. If I help just one person and you help one person just imagine the affect it could have on a community. 

I think we have forgotten the power of encouragement and how one kind word can make all the differences to a persons day.  We only need to pick up the Book of Proverbs and read verse 12:25 to see how powerful a good word is to a troubled soul: "Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad."

So the next time you see someone or even virtually via a blog  — reach out and say something kind and caring. Even if the person is feeling great — a smile and a hello is so welcoming in this day of troubles and sad news. Often at work, I will walk past a complete stranger and say hello and smile. I might complement a lady next to me in the supermarket about how lovely her dress is or give encouragement to some who is learning a new skill and struggling a bit.  I have a bowl of chocolate in my office and share them around to my fellow colleagues, especially in the afternoon when they are feeling a little more weary and tired. It really does boast the spirits. My son brings home muffins from work occasionally and I like to take them to work and pop them on people's desks first thing in the morning as a surprise and something nice to welcome them to their day at work. It really does make a differences. 

Exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 
(Hebrews 3:13)

These aren't difficult things to do — they aren't expensive or time consuming, but the small effort I put in makes all the differences to those receiving my encouragement.

If you become part of the Ministry of Encouragement and "walk the talk" so to speak throughout your day, your children will see and witness the importances of encouragement and they too, will want to encourage others in whatever way they can. Make sure that whilst you are out and about encouraging others, you haven't forgotten your husband — he certainly needs all the encouragement you can give and this is something your children will see and witness and role model later in life when they are married. 

"Be an encourager. The world has plenty of critics already" 

~ David Willis~