4 Simple Expressions of Encouragement

I heard a sermon about encouragement a few weeks ago.

It covered a single passage of scripture, so the application was limited to what the speaker found in those few verses. As I listened, however, it occurred to me that encouragement is not always a one-size-fits-most endeavor.

While some supportive gestures may be universally helpful, what encourages each of us individually often varies depending on our unique personalities, our current season of life and maybe even our gender.

Let’s take exercise, for example. I’ve never belonged to a gym or worked with a personal trainer. But based on how I’m wired, I’m pretty sure I would be more motivated to work out one-on-one with someone who showed me what to do and then did it alongside me, rather than in a group setting with people cheering me on as I struggled to complete an intense workout.

What encourages my soul may not be what encourages yours. In any case, though, it usually doesn’t take much—even the smallest overture can make a huge impression on someone else’s heart. That said, here are four simple gestures that never fail to bolster my spirits when I’m in need of a little encouragement.

• When someone cares for a person I love in a tangible way.

I was at Walgreens several months ago when I ran into an acquaintance from my parents’ former church. When this individual heard that my mom is now in a nursing home, she asked if it would be OK for her to visit my mom there.

Not everyone who makes such inquiries follows through on them. But I learned later that this friend and her husband went to see my mom right after our encounter at the store. She didn’t realize it, but she gave me a huge gift that day, simply by acting on her good intentions.

• When someone tells me he or she is praying for me.

I’m not sure how to explain it, but I almost feel a physical relief when I hear this. Somehow, whatever burden I’m carrying is lessened a bit just by knowing another person has followed up on a prompting to speak to God about me.

• When someone says or does something that shows me she is thinking of me.

Prayer certainly falls into this category, but so do emails, texts, blog comments, actual “thinking of you” cards and even little random gifts (like homegrown tomatoes, for example, or perennial shoots from someone’s else’s garden). Even though these small expressions of encouragement cost next to nothing, they are worth more than we might ever imagine.

• When someone reassures me that I’m not the only one.

Discouragement often rears its ugly head when I’m feeling all alone. And nothing makes me feel less alone than talking to someone who has been where I am and knows what it’s like.

That’s what I’m finding encouraging these days. How about you?

♥ Lois

P.S. I’m linking up this week with Let’s Have Coffee, Purposeful Faith, #TellHisStory, Faith on Fire, Faith ‘n Friends and Grace & Truth.