Recently a friend who returned from South Africa told me this story. She met a woman, who had a lovely voice and composed her own songs but used to sing only for herself, family, and friends. One day someone commented to her that she ought to share her gift with others by becoming a professional. The woman is now a popular singer with recordings. All it took for her musical success was a verbal nudge.
Encouragement is powerful and intimate. The etymology of the word shows this: “cour” is heart.” To encourage someone is to put heart into them, to give them courage, to lift their spirits. We do this by showing confidence in someone, affirming them, giving them hope.
No doubt, you mastered the feat of walking when someone urged, “Come on. Come on. You can do it.” Maybe now a therapist says to you, “You’re doing great. Keep going.”
Encouragement requires identifying a talent in someone and persuading them to develop it. This takes empathy. It means assuring someone that you are with them. You’ve got their back.
My Encouragers
I recall that when we children looking for something lost, a neighbor woman said to me, “Kathy, you’re always so good at finding things.” I don’t think she really knew that, but it goaded me to search for the item even harder and persevere.
After I played a Chopin prelude, my piano teacher said, “That was beautiful. Ask your parents if they would send you to the Cleveland Institute of Music.” What a vote of confidence! But we decided I wouldn’t go. It was just as well because my teacher never brought it up again.
At the end of the school year, my eighth-grade teacher, Sister John Francis, asked me to write compositions during the summer and send them to her at Xavier University, where she was studying. With her support and encouragement my writing skills were honed.
Years later I was asked to speak at a national convention. At the time I had never addressed a group larger than about 35—my students. During the days I was given to reply, I asked a friend, Sister Melannie, if she thought I could do it. She remarked, “If you can teach, you can talk.” Her words emboldened me. Ever since then I’ve been giving talks, or as she put it, “making money with my mouth.”
The Virtue of Encouragement
Scripture encourages encouragement. (See what I did there?) St. Paul wrote, “Encourage one another and build each other up. (1 Thessalonians 5:11) He lists encouragement as one of the spiritual gifts bestowed on believers. (Romans 12:8) In Hebrews 10:24–25, Paul advised how to be holy: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
To encourage others is to bless them. And in blessing them, we ourselves are blessed.
God is the ideal encourager. He is known as the God of encouragement. In Isaiah 41:10 God says,, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.”
Today’s World
In the song “Home on the Range,” the range is a pleasant place where “Never is heard a discouraging word.” The world now is quite the opposite. The atmosphere is rife with criticisms and putdowns. Attacking other people instead of building them up is the modus operandi for too many. Success is then squelched. People who encourage others are more needed than ever.
Look how Helen Keller blossomed with Anne Sullivan’s encouragement.
Pythagoras encouraged Plato.
Bruce Lee encouraged several other actors.
A physical education teacher encouraged Rihanna to pursue music.
Some Encouraging Words:
“You’ve got this!”
“I believe in you.”
“Don’t give up.”
“Trust yourself.”
“One step at a time.”
“I’m here for you.”
“You’re stronger (better) than you think.”
Besides speaking words to boost people’s confidence, we can also write notes or send emails that do that.
By the way, indulge in a little self-encouragement occasionally: “I can do this. I am strong. I’ve done this before, etc.”
Goethe noted, “Instruction does much, but encouragement everything.”
For Reflection and Comment
When have you benefited from someone’s encouragement?
How can you encourage someone now?
What Scripture verse gives you confidence and hope?
See what a little encouragement can do:
Here is a hilarious video that clearly demonstrates the power of encouragement. I first saw it on America’s Funniest Videos. Click the link and make sure you have the sound on by clicking “unmute.”
https://9gag.com/gag/an7VLbb?utm_source=copy_link&utm_medium=post_share
