Hebrews 3:13 (AMP)
13 But continually encourage one another every day, as long as it is called “Today” [and there is an opportunity], so that none of you will be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [its cleverness, delusive glamour, and sophistication].
I believe that everyone can encourage someone in one way or the other. Sadly, in today’s world, it is easier to find criticism than encouragement. In fact, you do not have to go out of your way to find criticism, it will find you.
Some time back, I put up this status on Facebook;
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO? THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF ENCOURAGERS….APPLY TODAY!
The comments I got were interesting and an eye-opener.
What are the qualifications?
How do I apply?
Here I am …waiting for details
Someone even called me and said they wanted to inquire about the job I had posted on Facebook;
Job?
That’s the problem we face in this generation, we look at things as jobs and what we can get out of it, what is in it for ME!!!
We live in such a negative world; everywhere you turn, people are criticizing one another and pulling each other down. Life has become hard and hopelessness and depression cases are on the rise. Unfaithfulness, gossip and backbiting, strife and stress have become the environment many have to live in daily. People need encouragement.
Someone to come alongside them and tell them something uplifting to reassure them that things will be OK. Someone to believe in them and give them an opportunity, or help them find one. Someone to remind them that God loves them, and he has a good plan for their life. Someone who will bring out the good in them. Someone to remind them that this too will come to pass.
I am sure, as you read this; you are also one who requires that same encouragement. Though you require it, you also have the capacity to give it to someone else around you today. You have the power to speak a word filled with life that can change the course of someone’s life today.
How I pray that you and I will be quick to notice the good in others and to say something about it, that we will be quick to spur one another to good works, just as the bible tells us to do.
Your world needs encouragers; choose to be one today.
Reflections
Do you find it easier to encourage or to criticize?
Whenever you have needed encouragement, has it been easy or hard to find it?
What will you do to become more of an encourager?
