Be an Encourager

Encouragement is fuel for the soul. Everyone needs it! A kind, encouraging word, whether spoken or written, can be the instrument God uses to cause us to press on.

Exhortation comes easily for those blessed with the spiritual gift. However, the Scripture in Hebrews does not say, “If you have the gift of encouragement,” or, “If you feel like it.” It plainly says to encourage one another today. Pretty straight forward, isn’t it?

Marge Caldwell, a counselor and gifted speaker to college students and women all over the United States, demonstrated encouragement unlike anyone else. Even in some of her deepest hours of pain, she would encourage those around her. If you felt dejected or downhearted she would know it and her words were a healing balm. She made an impact on lives by spending time with people, and she caused many women to come to the Lord because of her gift of encouragement. Many women are involved in women’s ministry because of her. Margie would take your face in her hands and look you in the eye and say, “How are you doing, kiddo?” That image still lingers in the hearts of many today. At age ninety-two, a few weeks before her death, she was still counseling. She never quit encouraging, and it was never more obvious than when more than two thousand people attended her memorial service.

As I write this devotional, I am sitting in the hospital with my mother who had surgery, and I find myself saying, “You are doing great! I’m so proud of you, Mother!” What an honor to encourage her. I pray that those words have caused her to be stronger and heal quickly. An encouraging word can bring healing too.

Reflect on your life. Who has been your encourager, your cheerleader, the one who comes to you with encouragement at the exact moment you need it? What has that meant to you? Have you told him? Does she know? Have you shared how their words changed you? Be an encourager too!

God puts us in places and situations with people whose lives we can impact with the simplest of phrases. Don’t miss the opportunity. Encourage someone today while it is still today . . . there might not be tomorrow. Now is your chance to be a Marge.

Holy Father, thank You for Your Word, which is my encouragement. I pray today that I would be sensitive to those who might need an encouraging word, and may those words be pleasing to You. Amen.