An allegorical story is told of a meeting of the devils of hell. It was a strategy session and the issue was how to defeat Christians in their daily living. Many suggestions were made. Finally, a bright young demon came up with an idea recognized by all to be the key. He suggested slowly planting bits of bad news here and there until discouragement had taken over. That was it. The devils would be trained in inducing discouragement.
In a world filled with discouragement, we need encouragement. William Barclay in The Letter to the Hebrews, writes, “One of the highest of human duties is the duty of encouragement . . . It is easy to laugh at men’s ideals; it is easy to pour water on their enthusiasm; it is easy to discourage others. The world is full of discouragers. We have a Christian duty to encourage one another. Many a time a word of praise or thanks or appreciation or cheer has kept a man on his feet. Blessed is the man who speaks such a word.”
Is there someone you know in need of encouragement? A student off at school . . . a young couple up against it . . . a divorcée struggling to gain back self-acceptance . . . a forgotten servant of God laboring in an obscure and difficult ministry . . . a widow who needs your companionship . . . someone who tried something new and failed? Encourage them! Encourage generously!
“A man has joy in an apt answer, and how delightful is a timely word!” Proverbs 15:23
Author Mel Hooten, thanks a lot for the post.Really thank you! Much obliged.andy kaufman tony
Thanks to you as well! We all need words of encouragement from time-to-time! Have a blessed day! Pastor Mel