God Speaks Chikamu

As believers, we are called to be encouragers, to uplift one another and to cheer each other on. The Oxford dictionary defines encouragement as, ‘the action of giving someone support, confidence or hope.’

As a young child, my parents were the best encouragers. They were at every soccer game, every school concert, and every choir performance, cheering loudly and clapping for my brother and me. I watched as they discipled and encouraged others through the highest highs: baptisms, weddings, birthdays, and anniversaries, but also the lowest lows: marriage breakdowns, job loss, and tragic deaths. I learned from an early age the power of encouragement to unify, strengthen, uplift, and ease the broken-hearted. 

I don’t know about you, but I have found that all too often we are quick to judge, criticise, and put others down with our words or actions. Maybe we do it out of distaste, hurt, offense, or even jealousy, or perhaps the reason feels justified. But, it is important to remember that God loves an encourager. He loves when His people are unified in Him. In fact, He calls us to be united, not separated. He died so that separation would cease, and we could live freely in Him. 

Les Brown, a famous motivational speaker, struggled as a student, was bullied, labelled mentally handicapped, and was known as the ‘dumb twin.’ Les explained to his teacher that he was incapable of completing a math problem. The teacher looked him in the eye and said, ‘someone else’s opinion of you does not have to become your reality.’ Years of put-downs, harsh judgment, and criticism ended with one positive, uplifting word of encouragement that he lent on for years into the future, spurring him on to greatness. 

I want to challenge you today to think about the words you speak about others, to others, or even words you speak about yourself. Are your words aligned with God’s perception? Do we encourage fellow believers regardless of the highs or lows they are facing, or do we snicker about them and tear them down? As followers of Christ, we want to be encouragers. We want to encourage others, uplifting them in difficult situations, spurring them on in their walk with God, and comforting those who are hurting. 

Be an encourager! You never know the power that an encouraging word can have on someone’s life. 

Prayer: God, thank You that You died so that we could live with one another in unity. Lord, we ask that You would help us to always encourage and uplift others through our words. Please help us to see everyone through Your eyes. Amen.