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Encouragement

Encouragement is super important. There are a lot of sad and lonely people in this world that could use a hardy dose of encouragement. Girls long to hear words of support from their fathers, husbands look for respect from their wives, boys want a man to confirm their manhood, and children long for expressions of affection. People from all walks of life seek encouragement.
      The problem with encouragement is that it is often preyed upon by flattery. Flattery is what you hear most often when people want approval. Flattery sounds nice but it really isnā€™t because flattery is actually a expression of a self-seeking person looking for something that will benefit himself.   
      Encouragement, on the other hand, is for the benefit of the person it is directed to. Encouragement does not always show itself in kind words, but also in actions and sometimes words that reprehend. Because encouragement is not self-seeking it doesnā€™t mind if it looks a little foolish now and again. Encouragement is Godly, while flattery is sinful.
      Iā€™ve come to realize the encouragement is more than just saying something that makes someone feel good about himself. Encouragement is directing people to THE Encourager, God.  When someone is having a bad day encouragement is more than saying ā€œitā€™ll be okayā€ its saying ā€œtrust God, Heā€™s working everything out for your good and His gloryā€. Encouragement clothes herself with different colors and styles. Sometimes encouragement is silent and sometimes sheā€™s bubbly, sometimes she speaks kindly and sometimes she harshly warns against evil, sometimes she helps those in need and sometimes she letā€™s others help her.
      If you look around you today you will quickly see that there are lots of people who need a smile to help get them through the day. I hope you look for opportunities to cloth yourself with encouragement and see how God uses you to make a difference.

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