If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?
(1 John 3:17)
Going to the statement found in Hebrews 10:24, we are to “consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.” In other words, we are to give thought to specific ways we can lift up, affirm, and help others. God’s commands are not theoretical—especially those that relate to people in need.
If you have a friend who is in need of food and clothing, and you say to him, “Well, good-bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat hearty,” and then don’t give him clothes or food, what good does that do? (James 2:15–16 TLB)
Maybe a few ideas will help spark an interest in putting our encouragement into action.
- Observe and mention admirable character qualities you see in others, such as punctuality, thoroughness, tactfulness, diligence, faithfulness, honesty, compassion, good attitude, loyalty, tolerance, vision, faith, and good sense of humour.
- Correspondence. Handwritten notes are the best of all, but emails and texts can be very encouraging. Maybe even deliver small gifts with a note attached. Preferably not so much at birthdays or Christmas, but at unexpected times.
- Phone calls. Be brief and to the point. Express appreciation for something specific that you genuinely appreciate.
- Notice a job well done and say so. I know of a few important people who are successful largely because they have splendid assistance from secretaries and support personnel within the ranks . . . but seldom are those people told what a fine job they’re doing.
- Cultivate a positive, reassuring attitude. Think and respond along this line. Encouragement cannot thrive in a negative, squint-eyed atmosphere.
- Pick up the tab in a restaurant . . . provide free tickets to some event you know the person (or family) would enjoy . . . send flowers . . . a gift card to their favourite restaurant.
- Be supportive to someone you know is hurting. Reach out without fear of what others may think or say.
Taken from Strengthening Your Grip by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 2015 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Reprinted by permission of Worthy Books, an imprint of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
