Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. Thessalonians 5:11
Our household is sad to say that college football season is over, and with it go the Fromm and Swift era for our Bulldogs. We all have some great memories from this year along with some disappointments, but all in all, ending the season ranked in the top five in the country is awesome!
The best take away for me from the past season is the picture above that epitomizes the word, encourager. An encourager is one who inspires another with courage, spirit or confidence. I see the result of the encourager (Kirby Smart) on Jake Fromm’s face. We’ve all seen that look on the faces of children and adults when they hear those encouraging words of pride from coaches, teachers, parents or friends.
Teachers, coaches, parents, and other leaders have the demanding job of holding their students, players, children and others accountable while remaining encouraging. Every one of us face that in our daily life if we are true to our calling as Christians. In our churches today, we are called to be encouragers – building one another up, inspiring one another, and strengthening one another in the faith – not discouragers.
Although God has called us to be encouragers, sometimes we find ourselves doing just the opposite. We concentrate on weaknesses instead of strengths, we criticize rather than compliment good qualities, and we tear down rather than build up self worth and self esteem.
Just like the picture illustrates, we need to concentrate on the good things that people do and just tell them. It makes a world of difference to hear encouragment rather than criticism. We all hold the fate of others in our hands, and we hold the power to change their lives or destroy it.
There is not one among us who doesn’t appreciate a word of encouragement. It is always special to receive positive affirmation in one way or another. After the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, several items were found in his pockets. Among the things, he had tucked away in his wallet were nine complimentary newspaper clippings along with a souvenir five dollar confederate bill. I’m sure it was rare for everybody to encourage him, but it meant everything to him to have those few encouraging articles.
I can’t imagine all the ups and downs that occurred before the picture above was taken, but I see in it the reward of the encourager as well as the encouraged.
In this new year, wouldn’t it be wonderful if we all made it our goal to encourage at least one person every day, not only for them but for ourselves.