Passing on words of encouragement can go a long way.
So many times these days, it is easy for one person to cut another down with strong discouraging words. I’m not too great of a guy concerning this — I’ve been there before.
However, building someone up with kind words feels better between the giver and receiver.
In his letter to the Ephesians (4:29), Paul says, “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.”
To comment on Paul’s words, we know how harsh words can affect people. Cutting people down damages and destroys relationships.
Since we know how ugly words of discouragement are, we should make a better effort to encourage. Build people up rather than scrutinizing their every move and ignoring their good gifts and efforts.
Encouragement builds relationships, and it is good for the well-being of relationships. Encouraging words from a friend or colleague give others grace and hope in light of their imperfections and deficiencies. Encouragement also gives our friends confidence in their gifts when they feel hopeless or dismayed in their spirits.
To put Paul’s words into action, my study group participated in two positive activities this past school year.
In our first activity, we gathered in a circle outside with our eyes closed. Our group leaders appointed five people every so often to walk around the circle with their eyes open.
Each time our leaders asked a question aloud about those in the circle, the five outside of it would tap the shoulders of those whom they wanted to encourage.
Some questions asked included “Who is having a good hair day?,” “Who in the circle has a good smile?” and “Who is someone you wish to know better?”
As many study group members felt warm and happy after this gathering, we moved on to our second encouragement activity.
Inside our meeting room, our leaders provided us paper and crayons. Here, we walked around and wrote down positive notes about each person where they sat.
For example, people would write about how the other person was a good leader. Others would write about how nice or friendly other people were. Then, people would write about how they wish they could become closer friends with another person.
Seeing the signatures of those who wrote each note made people feel more loved and gratified.
Leaving that study group session that night, I felt closer to each of my sisters and brothers in Christ. Like how many others shared my happiness, this is how relationships can build through encouragement.
Check out these other verses about encouragement: Proverbs 12:25, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Hebrews 10:19-25 and I Thessalonians 5:11.
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