I love being an encourager almost as much as I enjoy being built up, stirred up, and lifted up by others. And in the midst of these chaotic times, it’s more important than ever to support our family, friends, and those in our community. God has placed us in the world for such a time as this.
Encouragement is the ground where hope can be grown. Here are three ways to start:
- We move by faith as we seek to encourage others, planning to be a light in the darkness while listening closely to the nudges of our heavenly Father, pointing out the path for us to follow.
- We know God has sent us to reach out to those in need, and we can move with a right heart attitude and let His light shine through us.
- As we focus on encouraging others and seeking Him, we move into a place of being able to petition Father God for what is on our hearts, for ourselves and our families.
As we navigate our way through the days ahead, we need to leave room in our daily schedule for spontaneity. If we have already overplanned every minute of the day, we have no room to move when God stirs our hearts. I totally get that some days are going to be super busy, but we can try to leave openings during the week for God to speak to us on behalf of others. Sometimes, it’s a card, a phone call, an email, or a briefly spoken prayer lifted to the One who has all the answers.
We can still schedule in ways to cheer, inspire, and reassure others, especially in times of loss or tragedy. God will show us the way when we take time to ask and then listen.
Small acts of kindness can be likened to a light summer breeze on a muggy, Alabama afternoon. When I’m outside on a day like that, a breeze can bring hope. Hope that it won’t always be hot and that fall is not that far away. We can hand out hope in places and to people who have none. God has given hope by sending His Son to die for us so we can live forever.
Then we pass this hope onto others.
And isn’t that what it’s all about?
What do you think about encouragement and hope working hand in hand? Let me know in the comments …
