The Powerful Effects of Encouragement

My wife and I have a 6-month-old boy named Cooper. Cooper is our first child and we love being parents. Last week, he did a few new “tricks.” He started holding a sippy cup by himself, he learned how to clap, and he figured out how to crawl. As far as my wife and I are concerned, Cooper’s new abilities are the most incredible thing to ever happen. We get so excited each time! If you’re a parent, you can relate.  

But here’s what I love the most, when we encourage Cooper and celebrate his victories, joy washes over him.

Encouragement leads to greatness. Celebration of others brings Glory to God.   One of the challenges of humanity is that we compare ourselves to others and, in turn, tend to envy other people’s successes and times of growth; however, we are called to rejoice with others. Paul says it like this in Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep.”   

Imagine how different our world would look if every believer took the time to encourage one another in our endeavors and celebrated them with on their accomplishments. Joy would wash over others. We would be united with one another. And peace would follow. All of this and more, brings glory to God.  

Who is someone that you have been holding back encouragement from? Encourage them today!