We recently started doing Secret Sisters at our congregation. This is where we fill out a questionnaire paper with information about ourselves: eg. our favorite verse, hymn, color, etc.

We place it in an envelope and randomly pick a new envelope. The sister in the envelope is now the one we will be investing our hearts, prayers, minds, and little gifts of encouragement to for the next few months. After the holidays we will reveal who has who.

It made me start to think about what it actually means to encourage and how to be an encourager.

Below, we will go over the definition, what the bible says, and actions we can take to become an encourager.

The Definition

The google definition for Encourage: give support, confidence, or hope to (someone).

When thinking about the definition, I want you to also ask yourself:

“What does the word encourage mean to me?”
“Have I seen this take action in front of me before?”
“Have I had someone encourage me?”
“How did that make me feel?”.

What does the bible say about encouraging?

The verses below I find to be the ultimate definition and example of encouragement. It gives purpose, examples, and specifics. Although these are definitely not all of the encouragement verses you can find in the bible, they are the ones you may think of first when talking about encouragement. I would love for you to share in the comment section, which verses in the bible spurs on your heart to encourage.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11

“And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.”

1 Thessalonians 5:14

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Hebrews 10:23-25

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

Galatians 6:2

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Ephesians 4:29

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:”

1 Peter 4:8

“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”

Proverbs 12:25

What actions can I take to be an encourager?

Just Do.

Many times we are scared. Scared we are going to do or say the wrong thing.

But when we allow our encouragement to be from the Lord through us, it can reach deeper and build up stronger than anything we could do by ourselves.

So, I encourage you with the following suggestions on how to be an encourager, pray for God to guide you in your actions.

Prayer

The best way we can encourage is through prayer.

The best time to pray is right then and there.

Pray for them, with them, and about them. Pray that your words and actions will be lead to provide encouragement and strength to building them up.

When my youngest was born 3 months early and got VERY sick while in the NICU, we had someone who we didn’t even know, hear our story and want to come to visit our daughter and pray for us and her.

This moment is one that meant so much to our hearts and encouraging our spirit and strength.

When someone prays for me I can feel it. I may not be aware at the time who it is, but I feel encouraged. I thank God for the boost and whoever is praying for me.

Be There

Just your presence can give comfort. You don’t even have to say anything. Being able to provide a listening ear is in many ways a huge encouragement. Many of us may think of Job and his friends who were with him in silence for 7 days.

Drop Off

Drop something off at their door. It can be flowers, groceries, a card, handmade gift, coffee, soup, snack, a written prayer, truly anything that lets the person know you are thinking and praying for them. This can speak volumes.

Conversation

Smile, engage in eye contact, asking questions to sincerely get to know someone, and caring what their answers are.

I know for me, I struggle to make eye contact and staying engage because my eyes lean towards observing my children see if they need my guidance.

But when someone takes the time to have a conversation with us it makes us feel seen, interesting and can spur us to keep making strides.

Music

God tells us to make music in our hearts. It can reach us in deep ways and connect us to Him in worship. Singing or listening to a hymn or prayer has the ability to encourage us again and again.

You could sing on a video for someone or send them their favorite song from YouTube through Facebook or E-mail. I thoroughly enjoy modern calligraphy and have written a couple phrases from someone’s favorite song and placed in a frame. If you aren’t in to writing you can simply type it on the computer and use a fun font. Place some pretty scrapbook paper behind it and you have an encouraging gift that they can look at over and over again.

We would love to hear from you! Let us know in the comments ideas you have on how to encourage one another.

Maybe you are thinking of something that was done for you that meant a lot or maybe something you choose to do to uplift others.

Thank you, for taking the time to stop by OneBlessedMomma and being a part of our community. You being here encourages us and we hope you find encouragement amongst one another.

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Meet Julia!

Julia is a wife to her high-school sweetheart, a mother to two beautiful girls and a follower of Christ. She loves crafting, teaching and is forever grateful for a God who is in control of all unknowns and thankful we can have a peace that surpasses all understanding.

How to Encourage One Another