BE AN ENCOURAGER!

Even as I write these words, I am struck with just how much fellow Christians need encouraging words to continue in the faith. It is easy to say, "Well, God should be enough. People should find their strength in Christ." Yes, Christ is enough for salvation. However, God has placed us in a body. He called us the body of Christ because we are dependent on each other to function well, to love well, to struggle well.

"I had worked all year long on the women's retreat," Ann explained. "I didn't get a paycheck, but that wasn't what I was doing it for in the first place. I was planning the retreat to honour Jesus. I'll admit, though, that I longed for someone to tell me,'I appreciate all your hard work,' or 'You really ministered to me,' or 'Thank you for all you do to encourage women.' I didn't do all that work for a pat on the back, but a pat on the back would have meant so much." Then she concluded,"I'm not sure I have it in me to do it again."

I wonder if a few positive words of thanks would have given Ann the fuel she needed to tackle the women's retreat for another year. While the women who attended were filled, Ann left drained and discouraged.

Take a look at how Paul used his words to encourage the various churches in the New Testament in Philippians 1:3-11 and Colossians 1:3-8 and to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:3-4!

Simple words, but powerful words! Encouragement will help someone grow!
(Extracts from the book entitled 'THE POWER OF A WOMAN'S WORDS' by Sharon Jaynes