Job Opening: Encourager

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 9:6, NLT)
These will be his royal titles: Everlasting Father . . .

There are individuals placed throughout this world that have the distinct gift of encouragement. One encourager has consistently given me a word of encouragement just at the right time. While encouragement takes little effort and is easily dispersed, it seems we in the Western World are more quick to criticize than to encourage. In actuality it is a matter of the mind. Encouragement strengthens an individual, discouragement weakens.

Corrie ten Boom, holocaust survivor and author of the Hiding Place, impacted my thinking of how to approach life. Years ago, I sat under her teaching during a cold, snowy weekend. She outlined the responsibilities of Christ-followers, which includes encouraging rather than discouraging people. A good rule of thumb, she explained, was to give ten authentic encouraging statements before saying anything negative. Of course, it is almost impossible to be discouraging after coming up with ten encouraging statements.

The prophet Isaiah spoke to the people in an era of discouragement. He encouraged the people, promising a Savior would come, delivering them from their plight. He described the Savior as Everlasting Father. He was, is, and always will be God. I can’t imagine a more encouraging word, but to know that Christ was, is, and always will be with us . . . the Everlasting Father.

Make a difference in the world today.
Accept the job of a Christ-follower: Encourager.
Take time to encourage individuals in your corner of the world.
Ask God to give you encouraging words that will matter.
Give authentic words that build up rather than tear down an individual.

Learning with you to speak encouragement,
Shalom,
Kerrie


(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)