The Power Of Encouragement
Ian Revie
Gracious speech is like clover honey ……. quick energy for the body.
Proverbs 16:24 (MSG)
Most of my working life just now is about identifying and supporting small corrections to people's intended direction, and giving them encouragement by looking back at the journey to find that what we had previously worked on had become successful. When this is done in the right way, with the right will and buy in, it can help to transform careers and people lives - this is what I would look at as my ultimate encouragement: seeing them change, and reflecting on their own improvements.
Many people stop trying because things get too difficult, too complicated, or become complacent. Everybody needs encouragement. None of us achieves anything significant without help and encouragement. Many of the great achievers in history became all that they were because of the encouragers in their lives.
One of my favourite quotes is often attributed to a great British hero, Winston Churchill, and it is one of my mantras as I work towards the last part of my business career: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts”.
This quotation is more about an attitude towards life, and there were many times in his life when this attitude can be seen in his actions that took Britain through one of its toughest times in recent history.
Everyone - young & old, successful & less-than-successful, famous & unknown - who receives encouragement is changed by it. Mark Twain once said, “One compliment can keep me going for a whole month.”
A word of encouragement from a teacher can change a child's life; a word of encouragement from a spouse can strengthen or even save a marriage; a word of encouragement from a leader can inspire a person to reach his or her potential. You never know when a moment and a few sincere words can have an impact on a life and this is a reflection of the scripture: 'Gracious speech is like clover honey - good taste to the soul, quick energy for the body.' (Proverbs 16:24 MSG).
Recently I listened to a reading of the 1st letter to the Thessalonians chapters 1 & 2, Paul writes a fantastic example of encouraging the church, and how the church also provides encouragement back to Paul:-
Encouraging - “Every time we think of you, we thank God for you. Day and night you’re in our prayers as we call to mind your work of faith, your labour of love…”
(1 Thessalonians 1:2-3)Reflecting - “Do you know that all over the provinces of both Macedonia and Achaia believers look up to you? The word has gotten around. Your lives are echoing the Master’s Word…”
(1 Thessalonians 1:7-8)Reflecting - “And now we look back on all this and thank God, a geyser of thanks! When you got the Message of God we preached, you didn’t pass it off as just one more human opinion…”
(1 Thessalonians 2:13)Encouraging - “Who do you think we’re going to be proud of when our Master Jesus appears if it’s not you? You’re our pride and joy!”
(1 Thessalonians 2:19-20)Reflecting - “You paid careful attention to the way we lived among you, and determined to live that way yourselves. In imitating us, you imitated the Master.”
(1 Thessalonians 1:5-6)
What a great story that gives us as a church! A great example, and also encouragement, to live the life God has given us to the full.
