Encouraging Words

“The LORD God gives me the right words to encourage the weary. Each morning he awakens me eager to learn his teaching; he made me willing to listen and not rebel or run away.” (Isaiah 50:4-5 CEV)

Do you realize that we all need to hear an encouraging word that refreshes us during those weary moments in life? However, we shouldn’t always be the ones receiving encouragement, but we should understand how to share encouraging words with weary souls. Proverbs teaches us that “The right word at the right time is like precious gold set in silver(Proverbs 25:11 CEV)." We can only speak the right word at the time when God is allowed to lead us. Oh yeah and let me add that sometimes he’ll even lead you to encourage your enemies. Today, God wants to use you to refresh someone who is weary from the struggle. This is not designed to be a one-time event, but Isaiah states that this process occurs “each morning."

My father, Willie Tolbert, taught me how to incorporate these two verses into my morning prayer prior to beginning my day because he realized that every day we live is an opportunity to minister hope and encouragement to others. Remember that the words we speak when encouraging others comes from God and that’s why Proverbs tells us that “the plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD(Proverbs 16:1 ESV)." Another reason we should to give the Lord’s counsel is because, “The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generation(Psalm 33:11 ESV)." The words that God gives us to speak will actually work for the benefit of those that receive them. Jesus actually said, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life (John 6:63 ESV)." Let the life of God flow through you to others today and help them to experience God’s best plans for their lives.