My Life in Our Father's World

On the Road to Encouragement

In the last few weeks, I have come across several posts, articles, scripture, and conversations that have given me new insight into my 2022 word of the year, encouragement. Rather than not adequately covering each item, I decided to share them all in one place using this week’s Five Minute Friday prompt, ROAD.

❇️ The Art of Encouragement from Strength with Dignity discusses encouragement vs flattery. If we are not careful we can end up insulting others with what feels like empty flattery instead of building them up with honest encouragement.

❇️ For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. – 1 Corinthians 13:12 ESV

❇️ The Excitement and Essence of Being a Christian from Ellerslie is written based on the idea that “There are few things quite so boring as being religious, but there is nothing quite so exciting as being a Christian!” I for one would rather be known for loving others with the heart of Christ than to be known as “churchy” or “religious”.

❇️ Excited to be a Christian? from Even If I Walk Alone reminded me of the importance of finding joy in each day.

❇️ Even books of the Bible that scare us can provide some tremendous insight if we take the time to dig in. Check out this graphic from The Stone and the Oak. It is a reminder of the truth of Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

❇️ Sharing encouragement is like filling up someone’s half-empty cup with hope-filled grace. – Big Sky Buckeye

15 comments

  2. I have to build encouragement
    in myself, right here and now,
    and do it with a firm intent,
    for it is solely how
    I get through days that come to this,
    short breath, and every movement, pain.
    But there’s so much, still, I will miss
    if content here I remain,
    for stasis builds self-pity,
    self-pity births a lazy mind,
    and it gets even less pretty
    when we look within and find
    that the strength God placed within
    is rusted through by careless sin.

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  5. Barb, this is so good. I love the way you differentiate between flattery and encouragement. And I love that I have friends who give me encouragement, not empty flattery. Thanks for sharing. Kath, visiting from #3 this week.

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  6. Barbara, encouragement is one of my spiritual gifts. I so appreciate these posts. And I loved the quote, “There are few things quite so boring as being religious, but there is nothing quite so exciting as being a Christian!” SO true.

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