the gift of encouragement boomerangs

Are you needing encouragement today? Maybe the rhythms of life have you feeling kind of down these days. Or maybe you find it hard to get up and press through the difficult hours? Seconds creep by and you look for encouragement around every corner.

I know these feelings. Seasons swoop in and try to drown you, while you try your hardest to keep your head above water. In these moments of healing, I’ve certainly been on the receiving end of your encouragement and for that I’m grateful. Encouragement has been a huge gift that has flooded my soul on the right day. Right moment.

Times when my soul questioned if I could fight on — encouragement came.

Mornings when my brain was foggy and the mirror spoke lies — encouragement called.

Evenings when my day seemed lost and I wondered where this time of healing was headed — encouragement spoke.

Every time I’ve felt down in the struggle it’s as if Jesus showed up in person through others. The fresh wind of encouragement rescued my worn-out twisted soul. And this gracious flood of encouragement will renew you too.

Encouragement is a gift.

To encourage another is not only a gift for the receiver, but for the giver. As Acts 20:35 goes, it is more blessed to give than receive. But is this gift of encouraging another a lost art? Will this gift of encouraging another boomerang back and lift up our own souls?

Daily I roam this world and it seems it’s producing impatient, all-about-me, selfish specimens that long for more.

More money. More fame. More friends. More attention. More. More. More.

This selfishness stops encouragement on its journey. Looking inward is a consuming habit that stifles the act of encouragement. When your eyes are set on yourself, there’s no boomerang. The only way to have encouragement come back to flood your own soul when needed is to be an encouragement to others.

Take your eyes off yourself.

Call the friend who needs help.

Write the loved one who moved cross-country.

Forgive the one who hurt you.

Go and pray with those who are hurting.

Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 

Being encouraged by someone is a gift.

Encouragement comes in many forms; cards, prayers, phone calls, hugs, words or just being there for someone. The challenge for our days ahead should be to specifically encourage someone. That person that is on your mind right now, write their name down and then follow-up with encouragement.

It’s time we get our eyes off of ourselves and let others know we see them. That we hear their hurts and are with them through their struggles.

With just a little bit of thought and effort you and I can bless others with this precious gift of encouragement.

Then when you need it, that encouragement will boomerang back to encourage you on your hardest of days.

Encouragement is such a gift!