4 Ways to Encourage Someone This Week

This week in our service we talked about Barnabas and how he encouraged Paul in his ministry.  What an amazing story!  It makes me wonder how many people around me have great potential to accomplish mighty things for Jesus if they simply receive encouragement!  And who will encourage them if I don't?  Are you being a Barnabas to the Pauls in your life? I hope you are. And if you aren't yet, I hope you will! And you can start today.

So here are 4 simple ways to encourage someone this week!

1. Send an encouraging letter.

Have you ever opened your mailbox to find an unexpected letter from a friend?  It does not happen often, but when it does, how special do you feel?  Sending someone a random, encouraging letter is a great way to let someone know that they are not forgotten.  It will make their day!  And it is easy to do.  Who could you send a letter to this week?

2.  Call someone to let them know you appreciate them.

99% of the phone calls we get are from people that need something from us.  They need an answer to a question, or they have to ask you for a favor.  Or perhaps they simply want to tell you something that happened in their life.  But have you ever received a call from someone just wanting to thank you?  Or perhaps they just want to tell you how much you mean to them?  I dare you to do this to someone this week.  It does not have to be a long, mushy, awkward call.  But call someone and just say "I appreciate you for _____ (fill in the blank.)" So many people feel undervalued and unappreciated.  And this may not even be true!  But if no one ever takes the time to verbally tell them how they feel, that person will never know.  So make someone's day and give them a call!

3.  Thank someone for doing the job that you don't want to do.

Think for a second.  Is there someone at work, at church, or in your house, that is doing a chore/ministry/task that you don't want to do?  Are you glad they are doing it instead of you?  Maybe your coworker volunteers to stay a little later so you can go home.  Maybe someone works the nursery at church.  Maybe your spouse takes the trash out so you can relax.  Thank them! And be specific.  Thank them for doing that task, and let them know you truly appreciate them. They may feel like nobody notices or cares.  They may not like doing it either!  Walk right up to them and thank them.  They might need it!

4.  Send someone a gift.

 I received a random gift card in the mail from a brother in Christ a few weeks ago.  I was encouraged to know that he had thought of me.  It was such a surprise, and I truly felt blessed.  Could you do this for someone in your life?  Send them a gift card to a restaurant or store.  Buy them some snacks.  Have fun with it!  You don't have to spend a lot of money.  Even a $15 gift card is enough to make someone feel loved.  And we could all use some more love in our lives!

So there you go. Try one. Or try four.  Be a Barnabas this week.  Don't put it off for later, that person may need your encouragement right now!

"It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35

Be Blessed,

David Kleinhans

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