The Five Minute Encouragement Challenge

“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.”- Ephesians 4:29
 
Although I love my occupation as a writer, it can often bring with it loneliness and isolation. I don’t always hear how my writing is making a difference in other’s lives. I was having a particularly lonely day, feeling like I wanted to quit. I received a random email from a stranger. This is what it said:
 
“I'm a pastor in northern Wisconsin and just read your article about getting unstuck as a pastor's wife and found it to be refreshing and inspiring. Next week, I am preaching a sermon on getting unstuck spiritually -- and that is how I stumbled across your writing. You are a very good writer.”
 
What an encouraging word! To know I made a difference in someone’s life because of my willingness to share my personal experiences through writing edified me as well. But so often we don’t take the time to use our words to encourage others. We become so consumed with completing our to- do- lists that we don’t leave room in our schedules to utilize the spiritual gift of encouragement. I often receive encouragement at times when I am the most discouraged. God places people in my life to lift me up, during times when the world wants to do nothing but tear me down.
 
We all need encouraging words in our lives. Here are some ways you can encourage someone with your words:
 
Write a note- I just sent out several get-well cards to friends who are in the hospital. I hope my note will be a bright spot in their day as they suffer through illness. Although I can’t suffer with them physically, I can lift them up spiritually.
 
Send an email- Ask God who might need a positive word and then send them an email. We spend a lot of time trolling though Facebook feeds, tweeting and posting about our lives. Take five minutes and build up someone else.
 
Call someone- When’s the last time you received a phone call from someone who called just to say they were thinking of you? Who could you call and brighten their day today?
 
Who has God put in your life that you could encourage today? Take the five- minute encouragement challenge and brighten someone’s day today!

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