The Power of Encouragement

The Power of Encouragement (Proverbs 12:25)

Proverbs 12:25, “Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.”

In our text, we read that one good word of encouragement can make another person’s heart glad. It does not take much to uplift our brothers and sisters in Christ. Sometimes, all it takes is a few simple words. Back when I was in seminary and working a warehouse job, everyday a fellow co-worker would ask me “give me a good word, Rev”. My mind would go to this verse and I would ask the Lord to help me give this man something that he would need.

There are many times when people are discouraged simply because of the nature of living in a fallen world. There are pains, disappointments, and defeats that each of us will face. The temptation in those trying times is to gloom and give up. In those moments, a simple word of encouragement can be powerful. Everywhere we go there will be people with heavy hearts. They may have a smile on their face and appear to have everything in control, but inside heaviness is making their hearts stoop. Those heavy hearts could be lifted by a good word from you. Use your words to encourage those around you.

Solomon wrote, “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10). It is a blessing to have friends to offer that kind of help and encouragement when things are hard. Unfortunately, not everyone has this kind of friend. Therefore, we are to always be ready to provide hope and comfort when others face difficulty. Sometimes we get wrapped up in looking for someone to come and encourage us when God wants us to be offering encouragement to others. There is never a bad time to provide genuine and hopeful words to a friend. Certainly, by doing so you may help make the difference between success and failure for someone else.

I can remember times that others said a good word to me and it made my heavy heart glad. Today there is someone grappling with guilt, wrestling with regret, and contemplating quitting. I wonder who will be the one to be used to deliver that good word to their heavy heart? We are never more like Christ than when we are encouraging His people. Pray that the Lord will use you to lift someone’s heavy heart.

Question to Consider:
Why don’t we ask God today to help us be aware of opportunities to say a good word to someone, to lift a heavy heart, to be an encouragement?

Point to Ponder:
Find someone today who needs to hear “a good word” and give it to them.

Prayer, Father in Heaven, I know You see that person who is hurting. Their mind and emotions seem shackled in shame. Send me and shine Your light through my life. May Your Word fill their deepest longings until they overflow with joy. Replace any destructive thoughts they might have with the truth of Your Word. In Jesus name, Amen.

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