Kathy Weckwerth

Everyday Encouragement

Circle of Encouragement

by

Circle of Encouragement

By: Kathy A. Weckwerth

“What makes you do that?” the young girl looked at me with big eyes and asked almost apprehensively.

SONY DSC“What?”  I questioned.

“The encouragement thing.  You know, how you encourage people … why do you do it?” she continued.

“Because in this world, there aren’t enough people encouraging others.  There aren’t enough cheerleaders.  There aren’t enough people interested in others.  And quite frankly, people feel bad about themselves and need to be lifted up.” I answered matter of factly.

(photo by Christal Ruppert)

The truth is … no one makes time for encouragement.  No one takes time to build into others.  Why?  I believe it’s one of these three things:

  1. They don’t feel good about themselves, so they don’t feel confident to build someone else up.

When we feel confident in who we are and our own gifts, we have no problem lifting others up and making them aware of the good things they’re doing.

  1. They don’t know how to encourage someone.

Often, people think that they have to be a gifted communicator to be able to tell someone what a great job they’re doing, or how much they enjoyed their presentation, or how beautiful/handsome they look all dressed up.

  1. No one encourages them so they don’t think they should have to encourage someone else.

So often, our pride stops us from telling someone they are doing a great job or they are smart, kind, lovable, funny, a great blogger, a gifted writer, or a kind listener.  If we lift someone else up, doesn’t that mean that we’re less?  NO!!!  It means that you are doing exactly what Christ wants you to do … encourage one another!

Many years ago, I served at a large church. A man on my worship team was very competitive, egotistical and jealous.  So frequently he would criticize me as the leader and many on the team.  Although I would quickly try to combat and intercept his criticism, everyone knew that you could never measure up to whatever it was in life he was looking for and couldn’t find!

I often wondered why someone as gifted as he was would feel threatened by others and their giftedness.  And then I realized something, perhaps no one believed in him.  Or perhaps, he felt that he would become less if he lifted others up.

Scripture tells in James 4:10 that we are to “humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up.”  We don’t need to be self-serving and look for compliments.  We need to focus on others and encourage them, believe in them, and cheer them on!

[callout]The blessing comes to us the moment we bless others.  Our focus is off of ourselves and onto someone else and God uses our words to help heal, encourage, and spur others on to good works.[/callout]

If you haven’t encouraged someone for a long time, today is the day to do it.  How can you encourage someone?

  1. Write an email or an old-fashioned note that you mail at the post office!
  2. Text message or facebook someone and tell them they’re doing great.
  3. Tell them how proud you are of them in front of others.
  4. Post little sticky notes all over their desk, locker, purse, wallet … life … and say “I’m so proud of you!”  And tell them why.

Encouragement is so important.  Building one another up is God’s plan.

It just makes life better.

Make it your best life. 

1 Thessalonians 5:11 “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” (NLT)