Spend some time today thinking about someone in your life who needs encouragement. It might be someone walking through a visible storm, like grief, disappointment, exhaustion, or uncertainty, or it might even be someone who looks perfectly fine on the outside but is silently fighting battles that most people will never see because it is not obvious to them. So many many times, the people who seem the strongest are the ones who need encouragement the most.
Far too often, too many life-giving words die in the thoughts of so many. We feel them, we mean them, and we assume they are understood, but encouragement that is never spoken helps no one.
The Cost of Silence
Obviously, and I am sure you know that we live in a world overflowing with opinions, with criticism, and with noise, yet it strangely lacks sincere encouragement, or at the very least not as much as I would want us to encourage each other. People hear daily reminders of what they lack, where they have failed, and how far they still have to go, and what they rarely hear is this: You matter! You are doing better than you think! You are not alone!
Silence, even when well intentioned, can unintentionally reinforce the lie that no one sees, that no one cares, and that nothing will change. When encouragement stays locked inside us, it never gets the chance to do the work it was meant to do. And encouragement really really does work.
Words That Speak Life
Encouragement is not flattery; it is not exaggeration. Encouragement is not pretending things are better than they are. Encouragement is speaking truth, especially when the truth feels foggy.
It is reminding someone of who they are when they seem to have forgotten. It is calling out strength when they feel weak, and it is pointing to hope when all they can see is the weight of now. A few sincere words can change someone’s attitude; they can lift a person out of a dark mental space; they can interrupt a downward spiral of self-doubt, and they most definitely can steady someone enough to take the next step. You may never fully know what your words stop, soften, or save.
Encouragement does not require perfect timing or eloquent phrasing. It does not need a long speech or polished delivery or even a punchline; encouragement only needs honesty and presence.
Sometimes encouragement just simply sounds like:
- “I see how hard you are trying.”
- “You are not crazy for feeling this way.”
- “This season does not define you.”
- “You are stronger than you feel right now.”
And other times, it is simply showing up and letting someone know they are not carrying their burden alone.
Encouragement meets people exactly where they are and, most likely, pushes them to do better.
Speaking Life is an Act of Courage
It takes courage to speak life, courage to interrupt your routine, courage to send the message, and courage to say the thing that feels obvious to you but might be life-altering to someone else.
Some people, too many times hesitate because they assume that their words won’t matter or sound profound, but encouragement does not need to be dramatic to be powerful; in fact, its power often lies in its simplicity.
One of the quiet regrets many people carry is this: “I meant to say it, but I waited.” So, my dearest readers, never underestimate how far a few sincere words can travel inside someone who is barely holding on.
Encouragement delayed is encouragement denied. If someone comes to mind as you read this, do not overthink it. Take the moment! Make the call! Send the text! Speak the words! Say it while you still can! Say it while it still helps! Say it while the door is still open!
Read Also: It Does Not Matter Only What You Say; It Matters Greatly How You Say It
Read Also: Ministry Without Manipulation: Walking in Truth Before God and Men
Read Also: Character Revealed: What Your Treatment of Others Says About You
Conclusion
The world does not need “just” more commentary. What the world needs is more life-speaking voices. Voices that remind the weary of what is true! Voices that breathe hope into hard seasons! Voices that choose kindness, clarity, and courage!
Never let encouragement go unspoken!
Your words might be the very thing that gives someone the strength to push through one more day, and sometimes, that is everything.
