Encourage Each Other

“The right word at the right time is like precious gold set in silver” (Proverbs 25:11 CEV).

We’ve all experienced it—a friend saying just the right thing just when we needed some encouragement, and we appreciated it. I know that I’ve had entire days turned around by an encouraging word from a friend. I was in a horrible mood one day, and a friend walked up to me with a smile on his face, and said, “Boy, you’re lookin’ good.” Even though I knew that I wasn’t looking particularly good, at least by the expression on my face, it made me feel better. We talked a few moments, and his demeanor raised my spirits, and my approach to the whole day was changed. He may not have ever known how much he helped with those few words of encouragement. I need to thank him the next time I see him.

 It’s not hard to be an encouragement. In my case a smile and a few words did it. Sometimes we can tell that a friend is worrying or sorrowing about something, and a smile along with the words, “You look worried. Is there something I can help you with?” can help. Even if the answer is, “No, I need to work this out myself,” he may feel better just knowing that you care and are willing to help if needed and will probably pray about what is worrying him. In those sorrowing or confusing times, a word from a friend may be just what is needed. “I’m not alone.” Realizing that the friend may be praying points us to Jesus Christ, and we realize that we are never alone. We are capable of giving words of encouragement that may well be worth more than gold or silver.

 Later in Proverbs 25:25, we are told: “Good news from far away is like cold water to the thirsty” (CEV). Sometimes a letter to an old friend may be just the thing that he or she needs. Maybe I should say email instead of letter, but I like something written that I can carry with me easily or just reach down and grab it anytime I need to reread it. A phone call is certainly quicker and more personal and immediate than either an email or letter. It’s good to hear the voice of a friend that we haven’t heard from for a while. Spoken words are more able to convey our feelings than words on a paper or computer screen. I encourage you to contact a friend today and just talk about how things are going with both of you and, perhaps, even sharing a time of prayer. You’ll both appreciate it.