Weighed Words

Worry weighs a person down;
    an encouraging word cheers a person up.

Proverbs 12:25 

 

How does it feel when someone discourages you?  You hear the harsh words, the harsh tone of voice and your heart sinks.  The words weigh you down.  Discouragement is HEAVY!  Is it demoralizing.  It is awful.  So why do we do it to each other?  

 

I visited a church several years ago where the pastor seemed to only preach gloom, doom, and guilt.  I visited 5 times hoping he would preach something positive, but each of the 5 times I visited, I left feeling as though I had been chewed out.  I came for encouragement but instead was pounded with discouragement. On my last visit I asked the pastor why he only preached such harsh sermons, his response was "I tell people what they need to hear."  I thanked him and never returned.

 

When you talk to people, do you encourage or discourage?  Are you a positive or negative person?  Do you talk with people in the same way you would want others to talk with you?  When you deal with others are you one of those people who only have discouraging things to say? 

 

Being encouraging takes a conscious effort!  Yet when we encourage someone, we build them up.  When we build them up, that reflects positively on us.  Thus, encouragement is a win-win situation.  Try it!