30 Days of Encouragement {Day 6}: Discouraging Circumstances

Click here to go to the introductory post in this series.

Today seems like a good day to get ourselves thinking about situations in which people find themselves needing encouragement.  It’s my growing conviction that everyone can use encouragement at any time, and if we listen carefully and ask good questions, we can get to know people better and be and encouragement to them.  But there are also more obvious times and situations in life when people find themselves needing encouragement.   Can you think of some?

I will not be able to come up with a complete list, so feel free to pitch in other thoughts the comments section.  Here are circumstances that can be discouraging:

• Grieving a loss of a loved one
• Starting/trying something new
• Unemployment or other financial trial
• Moving
• Having a new baby or an adoption
• Challenges with kids during different stages
• Caring for aging parents
• Marriage troubles
• When a spouse is deployed
• Any kind of unexpected change in circumstances

A list like this is helpful, because it can be a trigger for our brains.  Do you have a family member, friend, church member, neighbor, even acquaintance in one of these situations?  Then you can ask the Lord, Lord, how can you encourage this person through me?  Part of being an encourager is being on the look out for opportunities.  All of the above situations are great times to check in with people, ask questions, and offer support in word, deed, or company.

Love must be sincere.  Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.

Honor one another above yourselves.

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer

Share with God's people who are in need.

Practice hospitality.

Romans 12:9-13

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Tomorrow I give my little talk on Encouraging One Another, then I will start sharing all of that with you, in pieces.  Yeah!  I'd appreciate your prayers for the other speakers and me as we speak and the mothers who will gather tomorrow here in Collinsville, IL for the inaugural A Mom's Heart day-conference.  Learn more about what we're doing and who the speakers are here.

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