Going With Encouragement

"There are moments when troubles enter our lives and we can do nothing to avoid them. But they are there for a reason. Only when we have overcome them will we understand why they were there.” — Paul Coelho

Sunday's message spoke to us about encouragement. It's an important topic — and one I think we easily forget about. It's easy in this fast-paced life to get so focused on ourselves, on our own journey, that we don't see the whole picture.

Encouragement is a big part of faith, and it's a big part of what's needed to move forward. We need to be encouraged at times, and we need to give encouragement at times. That means being connected to those around us, and letting them connect with us.

This also means sharing the concerns of our heart with God, and turning to His word during times when we need to be encouraged. God is the ultimate encourager, and can be the ultimate place where our encouragement comes during times of need.

Then we can pass those things forward to others. You never know what it might mean to someone when you reach out with encouragement. Often when you feel prompted to reach out to someone, that is the gentle nudge of the Lord using you to help others.

Just as we appreciate when the embrace of the Lord touches us through the encouragement of others, so, too, do others feel it when we reach out in encouragement. That is something important for all of us to remember.