(Previously Published on Mrs Words Blog)

The word ENCOURAGE means to give support, confidence or hope to; to persuade to do or continue to do something by giving support and advice; stimulate the development of; promote, advance, boost, further; contribute to the progress or growth of; inspire with confidence.

I’ve been told that the word encourage comes from the Old French word encoragier, meaning “make strong, hearten”. I just love the idea of someone coming alongside to build you up, to make you strong and be heartened. 

To be encouraging (or an encourager) is the act of doing this: ‘to give someone support or confidence; to be supportive; to be positive and giving hope for future success; promising.’

I once heard someone explain it like this:

Encourage = to put courage in!

I have to admit, this is my favourite way to define this word. I love the idea that it’s not a passive word, but an action word. It requires that we move and partake in some way and do something. 

Selah! Pause for a moment and reflect on this.

Think of it like this: think of yourself as a vessel – like a bowl or a vase. Imagine that your bowl is empty, which is leaving you feeling empty, depleted, lonely, negative, disheartened or depressed. This is the state of discouragement, which is the opposite of what we are talking about today, but stay with me…

Imagine someone comes along and gives you a little bit of encouragement – they tell you that you can do this, you can get there, you are clever, you are smart. This little bit of encouragement is like a little bit of oil being poured into your vessel. This helps you start feeling like you can make something, achieve something, start to do what you were finding difficult to do.

Then, someone else comes by and gives you a bit more encouragement and your vessel fills up a little bit more. You’ll probably now feel like you might just be able to overcome that giant, finish off that project, proceed with that cause that you believe in.

The more courage that gets put into the vessel, the more the vessel fills up with oil. The more encouragement you receive, the more that you feel that you can achieve what you have set out to do. And the more oil you have to spread around to others too. You have the ability to share some of your oil around to the other vessels around you and put courage in to other people in your world.

The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV) to encourage one another:

‘Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.‘

Again, the act of putting courage into each other is mentioned in Romans 12:6-8 (NIV):

‘We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;’

This passage highlights that being an encourager is a gift and we are not all gifted with this wonderful gift. It doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Not all of us are “glass half-full” kind of people. Some of us are more prone to pessimism and tend to see the worst aspect of things first. And that’s ok.

I just want to encourage you to try to see the best first. To at least be conscious enough to try to think optimistically of yourself and others. I believe that even if we are not naturally skilled with it, we are still able to do it.

I have written this as a “YOU ARE…” statement because I want to highlight to you that everyone can be an encourager. Everyone can be encouraging! Paul writes in 1st and 2nd Thessalonians to encourage one another and build each other up (1 Thessalonians 4:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:17).

That tells me that we can all do it. We can all build each other up and we all need to be lifted up from time to time. It’s really just a choice.

I have come to understand that I can and I am blessing people in my world and encouraging them without even realising I am doing it. It’s not always about words – cos I have to admit, sometimes, I really struggle to verbalise something positive and encouraging. It’s simply about being who you are. It’s about the choices you make, the way you speak and behave.

Your daughters, sisters and girlfriends are watching you navigate through life. They are hoping to get some pointers and tips on how you do it. They don’t necessarily want to hear you tell them how they should do it, they simply want to see how you do it. 

Your actions can be encouraging to others, you can be their inspiration to take a step forward by simply taking a step forward yourself. It’s human nature to watch how others navigate through difficult seasons or public confrontations. We watch so we can learn how we could/should do it.

I’m sure that you’ve heard the saying “Actions speak louder than words”. Well, that definitely applies here. And it’s not about putting on an act or trying to be ‘perfect’ (cos we know that that’s just not gonna happen anyway). It’s just simply being you.

By making good choices and walking your journey the best that you can. Living in-line with the Word of God and pursuing the calling on your life. Take that next step, take that risk and bring others on the ride alongside you.

You are an encourager and you are encouraging! Now, walk in that knowledge and spread the encouragement around. Put courage into someone today!