Introspective Musings

Encouragement

Lately I’ve been pondering encouragement.  It may seem like a simple concept.  However, I have been in the process of finding out it’s not all cut and dry.  Words are powerful.  Positive or negative; words hold immense power.

Webster defines encouraging as, “giving hope or promise” other sources define is as “instilling another with courage.” 

If someone is naturally good at saying encouraging things or has the gift of encouragement that doesn’t necessarily mean that everything said will be encouraging.  Nor does it mean that all people will feel encouraged by what is said.  What is getting me most about this is that people may take these words as flattery, flirting, or even just sarcasm.

Words are powerful. Encouragement cannot serve it’s purpose if it’s not founded on truth.  Giving hope or promise that is not true is destructive.  Giving people courage when there is no hope of success is setting someone up for failure.  Encouragement is uplifting and constructive, so if used incorrectly will have greater negative effect than 100 positive encouragements could have.  If not based on truth and trust then it’s power is certainly disparaging. 

It’s sobering to think that most people have been given the power of speech.  It’s a great responsibility to use words wisely and to instill something meaningful into another person’s life.  Why is it so easy for us to go around saying things without thinking of the ramifications of our words in others’ lives.  Words are not meant just for our entertainment. 

Words that may seem trite and meaningless to one person are needed words or affirmation in another’s life.  A seemingly trival remark could devestate someone’s spirit and may never be forgotten, or lift that person and give them something to hope for.  It’s disgusting how much is said each day and what’s more vile is how little those words are thought about before they are said.

How can we be people who use words to envoke greatness is each other?  How can words be thought through and used purposely to build up one another?  What steps need to be taken for people to understand truth and it’s power when spoken into others’ lives?

How can I be more careful with what I say?  How can I speak humbly, think more, and treasure wisdom?