1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (NIV)

In high school, I had a Christian principal who was an encourager. He stimulated my mind, and helped me to believe in myself. He came into my life when I needed someone to lift, inspire, and have faith in me. He made a great difference in my life. He did not forsake me at graduation. He has kept in touch through Christmas cards, notes of encouragement, letters, and telephone calls through the years. He is now 82 years of age, almost blind, and nearly incapacitated with back problems. Since the Internet age arrived, we have been e-mail buddies. He still finds ways to encourage and inspire me.

Encouragement — one short encouraging word can change our lives. It can put us on the right road. It can point out gifts we don't know we have.

At times, even Christians need encouragement. It may be just their good trait that needs to be pointed out to them. It's possible that their best trait might be the ability to see a good trait in another. Not only does encouragement help others, but it also helps the one who does the encouraging. In Ephesians 4:29, Paul tells us to speak "what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (NIV)

Prayer: Lord, help us to be encouragers of one another. Help us to understand that, as we encourage others, we help ourselves and build Your kingdom. Amen.

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