Encouragers – Shifters of Society

This will take less than 5 minutes of your time to read, so bear with me:
“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
Whether this discouraging comment is on appearance or character, whether it is a joke to someone about people’s negative opinion about that person or a serious comment against a person or a quality they have, negative comments can shake a human.
Maybe this impact will last a few minutes, a few hours, a few days, but it might also last years. Yes.
That remark that I might have made out of spite about someone’s character and that remark you might have made because you were jealous about someone’s looks could have really sunk into them hitting an insecurity core.
We can never take back our words, but I think even more importantly sometimes we can never take back the effect of those words. This applies both to how we speak or don’t speak to others, but I think it also hits home because we have all been discouraged by words or actions someone has said to us.
I am not talking about correcting people or calling people out. Those things can be done in through and by love. It’s actually important to address issues you see in those very close to you. Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another “
I’m saying lets get rid of negativity and pursue something else.
So friends, let’s flip the switch. How impactful are encouragements and encouragers?
I KNOW that encouraging comments, words, and actions have impacted me so very much. My confidence is boosted, I feel loved, and I want to then be encouraging to others. My insecurities get smaller as my smile gets bigger.
What kind of world do we want to live in? Believe it or not, we affect what our world looks like.
Encouragers are so important, they impact lives, they impact life here on earth.
You and I LITERALLY have the power to change the course and attitude of someone’s day, to change their inner thoughts, to minimize their insecurities.
“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” Prov. 12:25
By letting our pride take over and in turn being discouraging or intentionally not encouraging, we do the exact opposite… and we therefore shape a world that is the exact opposite of love.
God’s heart is to be lovingly honest with us and encourage us. He wants us to do the same.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thesselonians. 5:11