The Gift of Encouragement

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. –Romans 15:13 NLT

One of the best gifts we can give our children every day is an encouraging word from Scripture. The Bible is full of life-giving verses that can transform our lives with the encouragement they bring to our families. The word “encouragement” is translated paraklésis in the Greek, which means ‘a calling near.’ It’s the image of bringing others alongside of you so that you can encourage them as you do life together. This is why the Holy Spirit is sometimes referred to as the Paraclete. He’s the One who comes alongside us to exhort and encourage us. It’s the Holy Spirit who quickens our spirits with words of life and encouragement for ourselves and for others who may need extra affirmation to help them grow in their walk with the Lord. It’s the totality of God’s Word and the power of the Holy Spirit that give us the wisdom and strength to speak boldly when needed. Most importantly, God gives us the heart to speak all things in love.

As a mom it’s a wonderful blessing to be able to do this with your children every day. And while there are many opportunities to speak life over your littles, it’s equally important to recognize those moments when you can encourage the older children and young adults in your family. Adult children need affirmation and encouragement too!

When we encourage our children as the term paraklésis implies, we aim to do several things:

·Exhort: Encouraging and building others up

·Urge: Lovingly giving that little push that’s sometimes needed in their walk with the Lord

·Comfort: Being there when they may fall and helping them get up and keep going; reminding them that we love them and God loves them.

That’s what we are all called to do, isn’t it? To encourage and love others with the love of God. Prayerfully determine to speak sweet words of life and love over your children, over your marriage, and over every relationship in your life.

Let’s Pray

Father, You have set such a beautiful and loving example of bringing encouragement into my life through Your Word and through the people in my life. Thank You for being the voice in my heart that cheers me on as I seek to care for my family. I am grateful to walk alongside You in this journey of being Mom. I love You! In Jesus’ name, Amen.