How many times per day are you the recipient of encouraging words? Personally, I cannot recall the last time someone gave me an encouraging word. Why do we hear so little encouragement? The opposite seems to be true. I hear a lot of criticism, not just directed toward me, but seemingly toward almost everyone. We have become a culture that likes to find fault.
Encouragement has to power to bless and heal. It can soften our hearts, while protecting us from words that harm. That’s why the writer of the book of Hebrews wrote, “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today’, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”
Notice that the writer says that we should encourage one another every day. We need this encouragement so that our hearts will not be hardened toward good and righteousness. If we are consistently criticized we can become attracted to deceitful means of protecting ourselves, further damaging our hearts. Thoughtful positive words of encouragement build strength in the recipient and inner joy and peace in the giver.
Find a way to encourage someone today. After you have succeeded in that, do it again tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day, and every day thereafter. You will be blessed by the positive impact you will have upon those around you and you will be astonished by the impact this will have upon your attitudes.
Reluctant Retiree 