Do you find yourself needing encouragement? Most of us do from time to time. However, let us also think about those we need to encourage. Understand that no one needs flattery. That's when talk is cheap, and most people are quick to discount flattery. But, encouragement is far from flattery.
It's easy for us to become discouraged. Then, life loses its joy. A word of encouragement can make a difference in someone's life. "Therefore encourage each other with these words" (1 Thessalonians 4:18, NIV). So wrote the apostle Paul to a group of discouraged Christians. In this letter found in your New Testament, we see that they had sorrow over the death of loved ones.
The Holy Spirit seeks to encourage each believer. He inspired authors in the Bible such as Paul to write for this very reason. The Bible has many verses that are intended to encourage God's people. Words inspired by the Spirit of God bring hope and encouragement.
Maybe someone comes to your mind who really needs an encouraging word. You may think that there is nothing you could say to encourage that person. Maybe so, but sharing a word of encouragement from the Bible could make a real difference. Pray for those who are discouraged. Ask God to direct you to a word of encouragement in the Bible to share with others. "Therefore encourage each other with these words."
