Prepare me with Words of Encouragement

Day 12

Prepare my tongue with words of encouragement.

I watched in awe today as my tenderhearted husband asked a couple to pray with us.  His words of Encouragement to them were sweet and loving.  How I long to be a person who encourages and lifts others up.

What if we were always prepared to build up others with words of encouragement? 

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. I Thessalonians 5:11

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16

The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense. Proverbs 10:21

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24

The word encourage is parakaleō in Greek.  

I was utterly blown away by the meaning I found in Strong's. 
comfort, instruction, etc.
to admonish, exhort
to beg, entreat, beseech
to strive to appease by entreaty
to console, to encourage and strengthen by consolation, to comfort
to receive consolation, be comforted
to encourage, strengthen
exhorting and comforting and encouraging
to instruct, teach

What if every person you met today left your presence feeling encouraged? Not soupy, silly, frilly words, but rather words that will bring comfort, strength, instruction and courage.

Pray that Jesus will prepare your mouth today to share His love in such a way that others will be lifted up because of your words. 

Sometimes the best way to encourage is to share a scripture that means something to you.

My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. Psalm 119:28

Prayer
Jesus, the one true word, prepare our mouths to speak your lovingkindness to others. May we be your mouth today, use it to build others up. Reveal to us each person's need and show us how to lift them up.