An Encouraging Word

An Encouraging Word

Have you ever climbed into your bed completely exhausted at the end of the day? Have you had days when you’re so tired that you fall asleep before your head hits the pillow? It seems like most of my days end like that, but it’s not because I am physically worn out, it’s because I am emotionally exhausted.

My days are not filled with physical activity; I sit at a desk. I can’t claim physical exhaustion, but my days are filled with many emotional things that usually manifest themselves as worry. I worry if I was able to help the family that just reached out. I worry that I’m not enough as a husband and a father. I worry that I am not being the effective agent of hope and healing that my kids need me to be.

King Solomon tells us that worry weighs a person down. That is why I am so tired at the end of the day. All of my worries are weighing me down. I need someone to take me by the hand, look me in the eye and tell me that I am good enough. I need someone to put their arm around my shoulder and say “you got this.” Words of affirmation can be life-giving. Solomon says they cheer us up.

What if we encouraged our spouses, friends, and kids even when our hearts are heavy? What if we sow what we want to reap? What if we were the change we wanted to see in the world? I believe that something wonderful would happen, we would all feel encouraged, and encouraged people are effective people. Encouraged people are confident in their calling. You can do this.

Prayer

Dear Lord, my heart is heavy most days and the worry is weighing me down. Thank you for those people who cheer me up with their life-giving words of encouragement. Please help me to encourage them even when I am in need of encouragement too.

In Jesus name, Amen

“Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.” – Proverbs 12:25 (NLT)

Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Ryan North
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