~Encourage One Another~

The Lord tells us in His Word, we are to "Encourage one another and build each other up" 1 Thess. 5:11.
This is one of my favorite verses in the bible. It has become a family favorite as well , with the kids repeating it often. I'm thankful for that. With the daily stresses of life, we need sweet reminders like this to encourage, help each other,  and lift each other up in tough times. We can do this by sharing scripture with one another, send an encouraging card in the mail, an up lifting email or message via social media. That is the great thing about social media and the internet, it is so very easy to encourage each other with a quick message. Sometimes all that is needed is a hug, a smile, a pat on the back. A simple "I hear you" and "I am here FOR you". Thoughtfulness goes a long way! When we are facing a tough time, we need our encouraging friends and family to get through those times. We need God's word to guide us and light our path. I am discouraged when I hear stories of someone facing a tough time and people who are possibly well meaning, however they belittle them, put them down, tear them down with words and actions...this doesn't encourage the person and build them up, rather discourages them and makes them feel down. It can push a person away. A person who is constantly put down probably will begin to believe they are worthless and unworthy.  And just the same, a person who is encouraged and built up will believe those things. What makes my heart rejoice is the fact that our God loves us so much , he put this verse in the bible for us. He obviously is serious about us encouraging and lifting each other up! He doesn't want us to tear down or belittle. He doesn't want us to make others feel bad. If you know someone going through a tough time in life, but they are making changes, no matter how small...they are making progress....encourage them and build them up. If your child makes a good choice - when they typically do not - jump on that opportunity to encourage them and lift them up.  We aren't perfect and we will at times fail to encourage and build up...but I challenge us (me included) to find ways we can be better at encouraging and building people up with our words and actions. How will you do this? Please share!
This topic makes me think about two more topics I would like to write about soon "Speaking The Truth In Love" and "The Power of Our Words".  These go along with encouraging one another.
Thanks so much...and God Bless you as you "Encourage one another and build each other up!"
In Christ,
Meghan