I love this whole thought, because I think taking the time to encourage others is something that literally everyone can do. You don’t have to be smart, rich, or talented to encourage others. Encouraging others does not have to take a lot of time or resources.
My husband loves to take people to lunch as a way to encourage others. Although, if this is not something you can afford to do yet, I promise you that when you start encouraging others, just look for the blessings to start flowing. When we encourage others it’s a form of giving, therefore it comes with a promise. (I’m going to share more about this later.)
The gift of encouragement is a type of thanksgiving. When we are so thankful for all that God has done for us, we will look for a way to use His blessings to encourage others. Encouragement does not take talent, but it does take sacrifice. Our flesh is only concerned with itself, so in order to encourage others we have to die to our flesh and yield to the Holy Spirit.
This post is all about how to encourage others.
11 Insightful Ways You Can Encourage Others
- Ask God who you can encourage today.
I have sweet friends and family that I want to encourage all the time (and everyone else I come in contact with too🤣), but I try to pray and ask God to send people in my path that I can intentionally encourage that day. At church I try to connect with different people each service.
“Be kind to everyone because everyone is having a hard time.”
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2. We can encourage our children when we treat them like individuals instead of a lump of kids.
This may sound basic, but it can be easy to fuss at everyone instead of taking the time to investigate the specific issue that may be going on in the home. If you are a mama of multiple children, this can be difficult to do, and especially spending individual quality time with each child. Nevertheless each child is unique and needs to be encouraged.
3. Pay someone a compliment daily.
This is one of the easiest things to do. Tell someone you like their outfit. Noticing how someone is always cheerful and telling them you love that about them is a compliment. Seeing someone’s hard work and complimenting them on that area is an encouragement.
4. Send someone a coffee card.
There’s just something about a cup of coffee that is comforting! You can send a Starbuck’s or Dunkin’ coffee card for $5, and it’s sure to brighten someone’s day.
5. Lighten someone’s load.
At the point of exhaustion, when you do something for someone else who has had a long day, it can give you a second wind of energy. It’s interesting how this works, but it does. When you want to sink low under the covers after the first time you’ve sat down all day, and in that moment your husband asks for a glass of chocolate milk or when your children want to sit down and talk at the end of the day… Giving of yourself in these moments do so much to lift your spirits too.
6. Send someone a text letting them know you are thinking about them.
Soon as someone pops into your mind, let them know, and say a prayer for them right then.
7. Send someone a link to a song, and tell them it reminded you of them. (Not a love song to an ex😜😂)
This is one of my favorites, and love when my husband does this for me. My love language is “words of affirmation,” so he can tell me he’s thinking about me, but when he sends me a song that describes how he feels or to express his feelings even deeper, to me this is one of the greatest encouragements. If you know, you know, right?!☺️
8. Write a card “old school” mail.
People don’t do this as often anymore, so opening the mailbox and getting a heart-felt card from a friend can really bring a smile to people.
9. Talk positively about everyone behind their back.
I think everyone has something positive that you can say about them. When you and a friend are chatting and someone’s name is brought up, do you immediately want to say the gossip (or negative thing) you heard or do you want to take the opportunity to speak encouragement? Second hand praise is better than hearing it first hand.
There’s been so many times I’ve walked up on a conversation where two people were talking badly about someone else. Or what if the conversation got back to you from another friend that you were the topic of conversation that they overheard, and it was not good? Knowing your friends were saying something that they didn’t like about you is something you cannot forget.
But what about those good things a friend shared in behalf of you and another person told you about it. “Hey, Susie told me how good you were in the area of organizing. I’d love for you to give me some tips!” When is the last time you shared good information on the behalf of someone else? (And I’m not just referring to your bestie or the person in your best interest;))
10. Also, encourage people who do not bring you ROI.
With studying about business, I’ve read and listened to many successful people talk about ROI or “return on investment.” While I understand the business aspect and being a good steward of our money and time, you can’t always put people in an ROI category. Jesus tells us to be careful to entertain strangers, help the fatherless and widows, and to bless our enemies. Even though many people will never be grateful for your kindness, we have a Heavenly Father who sees all things. He is the One Who brings your ROI, and many times in ways you never expect.
11. Smile and let people know by your expressions that you care about them.
I know we can be busy, and have to work even harder in the day that we live in to be present in the moment, but it’s key to encouraging people. Have you ever had a conversation with someone you loved, and you knew they were not really listening? When we look at people in the eyes when they are talking or we are talking to them, it lets them know they are valuable.
Finally, one of my favorite passages of Scripture, and even though it is normally used as a “giving” text, I think we can apply it to the area of encouragement. Why? Because encouragement is something you give. We can encourage through our words, our time, and through so many of the ways listed in this post, and could list a hundred more ideas. So, here’s the promise from II Corinthians 9:6-8,
“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:”
There’s nothing I want to experience more than God’s grace. But all of His grace… That’s AMAZING!!! And a sufficiency (supply equal to wants; ample stock or fund.) in ALL THINGS… What a gift! What about the opportunity to abound to EVERY good work?! This is one of the sweetest principles and promises in the Bible. When we give, and cheerfully, and out of bounty, God wants to triple return the favor.
I want God to bless my work, my family, and everything I touch. How is this possible? GIVE… Is speaking encouragement to others a gift? Yes!
“There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.” (Proverbs 20:15)
“…for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” (Matthew 12:34)
“As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.” (Proverbs 27:21)
“…exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25)
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29)
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” (Proverbs 18:21)
If you haven’t seen the new “We Rise by Lifting Others” Necklace, make sure you check it out in the shop! It’s so cute, but I love the reminder to always be about encouraging others.
Do you enjoy listening to podcasts? Why don’t you check out Her Portion Podcast? This month’s theme is “Contentment.” The latest episode is “Contentment in Hard Times.” You can listen HERE.
