Five Ways to Encourage Others

Anxiety in a man's heart will weigh him down, but a good word will cheer him (Prov. 12:25).

Truett Cathy (founder of Chick-fil-A) was fond of saying, “How can you tell if someone needs encouragement?” His answer was, “they are breathing.” 

Cathy was right. We all need encouragement. So, why is encouragement so challenging to give to others? God said to Jesus, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased” (Matthew 3:17). Do we prefer pointing out a minor deficiency to highlighting a major character quality? Are you only allowed to dole out one encouragement every Leap Year? Is this leap year?

Encouragement costs you nothing but failing to encourage could cost someone everything. 

Do not tell your neighbor, “I do not know what to say,” or “I am too busy,” when the encouragement is on your lips. Never walk away from someone discouraged; your words could be God’s encouragement for that person (adapted from Prov. 3:27).

It is selfish and cruel to withhold encouragement from those who need it. And everybody needs it to some extent. People are facing unbearable grief to sheer desperation. We lose loved ones, marriages break, financial ruin befalls, betrayal occurs, or a physical ailment makes it challenging to get through the day. One word of encouragement could make a difference. 

Encouragement has many benefits. 1) It strengthens their faith. 2) It emboldens them to attempt some mission for God. 3) It comforts them in their losses. 4) It stirs their hearts to follow God. 5) It motivates them to change their attitudes or behaviors. 

Five Ways to Encourage Others

1. Encourage One Person Every Day.

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “today,” so that none of you become hardened by the deception of sin (Heb. 3:13). Daily encouragement will become a habit that will pay dividends to you and the other person. 

2. Look for People Whose Faith Needs to be Built and Encourage Them.

Therefore, encourage and build one another up, just as you are doing (1 Thes 5:11).  

3. Encourage Someone Who is Undisciplined in Their Walk with God. 

Typically, we look to honor people for their good deeds and forget those who are failing. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the unruly (1 Thes. 5:14). The word admonish is not synonymous with “rebuke,” but rather, exhort; put in mind. Reminding someone of the gospel of grace is more influential than scorn. A person in sin may expect chastisement, but the gospel offers forgiveness and restoration through repentance.

4. Listen for a Need and Meet it.

And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone (1 Thes. 5:14). Listening, essentially,  brings encouragement. We encourage best when we listen to the point of godly compassion, which constantly moves us to action. 

5. Use Your Words.

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body (Prov. 16:24).  Anxiety in a man's heart will weigh him down, but a good word will cheer him (Proverbs 12:25). A smile, a wave, or an emoji pales compared to the warm hug of words of affirmation. 

Start today by encouraging someone with words of grace.