"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. " - Hebrew 3:13
I remember it, somewhat vaguely now, but it has stayed with me for a long time. A medical school classmate had emailed me to encourage me when he had learned that I was considering quitting medicine. Just a couple lines. Probably didn't take him more than a couple minutes to produce. But what an impact. Filled my sails to know that someone felt it important enough to lift me up.
I have paid attention to it since. Times when friends or family have, seemingly out of the blue, written, called or texted to say they were thinking of me or praying for me. Very encouraging. Nothing quite like it. Now I have determined to employ it myself. Not to the point of the messages becoming trite and worthless, but every so often to accomplish what the NT writers exhorted in the verses mentioned above.
Just days ago, I had someone tell me that the two sentence text message I had sent them while their spouse was in surgery was almost overwhelming - one of the nicest things someone had done for them in a long time. Small investment perhaps. Enormous impact.
Just wanted to emphasize that words are powerful. Use them to build up your brothers & sisters or even your enemies. Little, targeted missiles of love that destroy Satan's strongholds & establish God's kingdom. Can't help but feel God smiling down when we use them. Both the giver and gifted are blessed. But use them wisely, because as I mentioned previously, they can seem frivolous if overused, over-dramatic or simply timed wrong. Be intentional about looking for opportunities where a kind word would be needed and then deliver, along with a prayer for their well-being and the words' intended effect.
That's all. Love you boys!!
Dad
"Though it's crazy, amazing
We can turn a heart with the words we say.
Mountains crumble with every syllable.
Hope can live or die.
So speak life, speak life.
To the deadest darkest night.
Speak life, speak life.
When the sun won't shine and you don't know why.
Look into the eyes of the brokenhearted;
Watch them come alive as soon as you speak hope,
You speak love, you speak... (life)."
From "Speak Life" by Toby Mac