The struggles of life can exert a wear and tear on hearts
and souls that tame the heartiest of people.
Even more sobering is the negativity that often accompanies the pain of
life, expressed in insults, put-downs and depreciating humor. There is a critical need for words and
actions that offer comfort, respite and encouragement. The writer of Hebrews
calls followers of Jesus to turn away from sinful behavior that shoots others down
and to instead,
… encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
The Apostle Paul commands the church in Ephesus to
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.
Encouraging words not only help the receiver, but the
deliverer as well! Encouragement allows
the heart to remain sensitive to God’s leading and enables those who choose to encourage to be effective in prayer for and fellowship
with the Lord and others. While the voices
of the cultural norm may invite us to sharp-tongued degradation, let us
choose instead to reach out in encouraging exhortation to reflect the grace and
love of Jesus!
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