Leaders that Love: ENCOURAGE
For the month of February, Monday Meditations is exploring the topic of how LEADERS can show LOVE to the people around them.
Who doesn't love to be encouraged?
There's no better feeling than when someone takes a moment to intentionally give me the gift of encouragement. I can think of many times in my past when my feelings of incompetence or inadequacy were limiting my performance or causing me to stumble. Feelings of doubt and fear were taking over. Then, in some of these cases, someone took the time to give me a boost - they encouraged me to keep going. Their words made all the difference to me and helped me readjust, refocus, and recommit to my plan. The timing of their words was impeccable. Their support for me was motivating as it reminded me, I wasn't going alone.
Q: What was the last message of encouragement that you received? From whom did it come? How was it delivered? How did it help you?
Encouragement can come in many forms, but for the sake of today's message, I want to propose three thoughts that tend to make it more meaningful and effective.
Words matter.
Words are not "just words". They matter, absolutely. They convey thoughts. When spoken, they cause things to happen. They can either be a blessing or a curse to those who hear them. They carry a message that results in intended or unintended consequences. They build up or tear down.
Ephesians 4:29 talks about the importance of words and how we should use them. It says, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (NIV)
Timing matters.
Delivering a message of encouragement is good. Delivering a message of encouragement at just the right time is better. Encouragement delivered at the wrong time has the potential to be received poorly or present an unintended message. When is the right time to deliver encouragement? As struggles increase for those near us, so should our encouragement.
Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV) implores us to spur each other on as "the day (of Christ's appearing) approaches".
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Support matters.
Pledging support as part of encouragement helps others know they are not “going alone”. Even though others may not specifically need anything from you, knowing they can rely on you in a time of need might be all that is necessary to give them motivation and vigour to engage more deeply in their endeavour.
Isaiah 43:2 gives us a glimpse of how God aligns and supports us. In this passage, Isaiah says, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." (NIV)
Thinking more deeply on the topic, to EN-courage means to GIVE-courage. To DIS-courage is to STEAL-courage.
Here are some other points to consider:
Encouragement focuses on the future.
Discouragement focuses on the past.
Encouragement motivates.
Discouragement demotivates.
Encouragement gives hope.
Discouragement removes hope.
Encouragement aligns people together.
Discouragement maligns an individual or a team.
Encouragement produces higher performance and increases the chance for success.
Discouragement produces lower performance and increases the chance of failure.
Q: Who, around you, needs encouragement? How, and when, can you deliver the message of encouragement? What will you do to support them with/on their journey?
Giving courage (ENCOURAGEMENT) is an act of compassion and love. When given selflessly, encouragement has the power to shift results and build brighter futures. It hopes for the best outcome for others.
We have an infinite supply of encouraging words and actions to use for the benefit of helping others as they pursue excellence in BUSINESS, LIFE and SPIRIT.
Give ENCOURAGEMENT generously with love.
Prayer:
God, I thank you for loving me and encouraging me every day. I thank you for those brothers and sisters that take the time to encourage me. Please reveal to me, right now, someone who needs encouragement. Give me the idea, strength, and commitment to reach beyond myself and to speak words of meaningful and timely encouragement to them. Thank you for this message today. Amen.
Blessings always and all-ways,
Steve Shrout
President
Special Note:
If you enjoyed today’s message, then share it with someone. Also, use this content and questions as a discussion guide in your next Forum Group meeting.
Attached to this email is a printable PDF you can use to help with your meditation and reflection. I encourage you to print it, answer the questions and then keep it in a Corpath binder or folder for future reference and thought. You will receive a new PDF each week with each new Monday Meditation, and, over time, your binder will become a book representing your Corpath journey of BUSINESS thoughts, personal LIFE development and SPIRITUAL growth.
