Encouragement = The expression of approval and support

When I take inventory of my talents I like to believe that I am a natural encourager. Part of my overall personality is being a positive person. I much prefer to look for the bright side in most circumstances and remind myself that troubled situations will not take up permanent residency on the timeline of life. Quite the opposite, the sooner I  recognize that most unfortunate happenings in a day, a week, a month, or even a year, will pass with each turn of the calendar page  or the ticking away of the minutes by our beautiful clock that hangs on a living room wall.

Now, I’m not saying that I don’t find myself getting ‘stuck’ sporting a bad attitude or entertaining depressed thoughts on occasion. I’d be a liar if I personified that to you. What I have discovered is when I take full ‘ownership’ of how I’m feeling or thinking and deal with those emotions properly, what follows is a release of the ‘bad’ promptly replaced by the ‘good’. How do I accomplish this? How can you be more successful with your emotions too? Be an encourager, to yourself and to someone else in your circle of influence.

My ‘go-to’ source for all knowledge and counsel is the Holy Bible. In 1 Thessalonians 4:18 it says “Therefore comfort one another with these words”. This chapter speaks about the second coming of Christ and gives a description of that triumphant day which is a day full of  great anticipation and hope for all Christian believers. So it is fitting that verse 18 sums up that short portion of scripture reminding us to find comfort and to offer the same to others.

With a grateful heart I can look back and recall with joy the number of times that someone took the time and energy to encourage me. Among those hidden treasures was a phone call that came at the exact moment of need…..a letter…..a stack of cards when my parents died, mom in 1999 and dad in 2012….flowers from my husband for no reason other than to express his love and commitment to me…..cards from my kids on Mother’s Day…..a text message from one of the kids saying “hi Mom, I love you”…..my treasure chest for gifts of encouragement from others is quite full.

When I need a little pick-me-up I like to go for a walk or run, enjoy a cup of hot tea, curl up with a good book, or soak in a hot bath. Doing one of these (and there are other things as well) most always changes my outlook on the moment or the day. I also like to send a short letter on pretty stationery to someone in my circle of friends. I have a wonderful friend who is the master at this particular practice. She has nicknamed her passion as “mailbox sunshine” and most often a card from her always arrives on a day that requires a bit of much needed approval and support.

For my friends and family who are going through a struggle my main objective in helping is always to pray. I  also love to send handwritten notes. And, because we live in a techo-savvy culture, on occasion I will send a short text message expressing my love, my concern, and my support for someone I love very deeply. I even have the advantage of including cute little clip art in my text messages that help define my sentences. Who can resist a goofy smiley face, a string of hearts, or musical notes?

I remember hearing many years ago the saying that it takes more muscles to frown than to smile. While I don’t have the science to back this statement, I’d like to believe that it’s true. By no means am I a perfect person, but I much prefer to live a daily life of exerting a positive attitude versus dwelling and living in negativity. Being optimistic far outweighs the agony associated with accepting defeat in the smallest or largest of life’s challenges.

One of my life verses comes from 1 Corinthians 15. Verse 57 states: “But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”. These are powerful words to  teach and remind me (us) that no matter what we are facing, the victory…the end result of a particular setback…is a ‘done deal’. God has it. He accomplished winning my (yours) battles through His Son Jesus Christ. If Christ could endure the cross, and He most certainly did, I continue to encourage myself that I can navigate through a difficult moment or day and along the way stop to be a source of hope, approval and support to someone standing on the sidelines of life. And, do it all  with a ‘smile’.