His Encouragement #18

Happy Thursday! I am blessed to be a part of a group of bloggers who feel led to share a bit of encouragement each week from the Bible. We recognize that the source of our peace, strength, and security in this life comes from Jesus, and we aim to share that with our readers. Plus, when Thursday comes around, we can all use a little encouragement right? I hope that this posting blesses you and that you find strength and peace in the Lord today ❤

This week it’s on my heart to share:

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

~Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

Yesterday I finished reading a book called Redeeming How We Talk. It had a lot of great things to say about things that were on my mind, and I was even challenged and convicted in ways I didn’t expect to be. It wasn’t just about having real conversations with people instead of only through social media, but about how to have real communication with people no matter how you’re doing it.

I will confess that sometimes my mouth gets away with me, and I say things I wish I didn’t. It’s so important that we fight to keep our tongues under control. Words can build up, but they can also very easily tear down. Not only that, but it gets harder and harder to build up the more you tear down. Unfortunately, when we communicate over things like social media or through texting, we miss out on key parts of communication. For one, we aren’t looking at the person, so we are unable to read their body language or hear the actual tone of their words. Secondly, when we are able to hide behind a screen, we are also more likely to be blunt and hurtful with the things we say, without regard for the feelings or needs of the person (or people) we are communicating with. It’s important that we are not only controlling the words that come out of our mouths, but the words we type on a page, or what we communicate through our body language.

What kind of speech are you most likely to be receptive to yourself? Do you react better when you are approached in a hostile, condescending way? Or are you more likely to respond positively when someone approaches you with love and encouragement? Yes, frustration and arguments happen, but if we want to actually incite change, we have to approach conflict in a way that will actually cause the other side to think and not merely throw up their defenses. We should be striving for unity and fellowship. No, we will not always agree with everyone in life, but we also need to keep what we are disagreeing over in the right perspective. Life isn’t just about being right or wrong. We should be striving to reach the lost for Christ, and to encourage fellow believers in their walks.

I have an interesting challenge for today. I challenge you to call someone or (even better) talk to them in person, and say something encouraging to them. You can even offer to pray with them. I would also challenge you to maybe do the same in a text or on social media. If there is someone who you may have said something hurtful to either recently or in the past– reach out to them and try to make things right.

I hope this week’s little message of encouragement is a blessing to you and that it makes you not only think, but act on the words. This week I’m ending with the song “Can Anybody Hear Her?” by Casting Crowns. Why? Because sometimes our approach to someone can make a whole world of difference. We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23). We shouldn’t be seeking to judge the lost, but to lead them to Jesus, the only one who can heal their wounds as he has done our own. I hope you take a moment to listen and meditate on the truths this song reveals.

Now, it’s your turn!

What Biblical verse is encouraging you today?

And, check out more Thursday Encouragement from my fellow blogger friends:

Nicole @ Christian Fiction Girl

Trisha @ Joy of Reading

Jacquelyn @ A Heavenly Home

Jessica @ A Baker’s Perspective

Jenny @ Author Jenny Lynn

If you would like to join us: please contact Trisha or Nicole