To encourage someone is to put courage into them. Throughout Scripture, we see God speaking courage, hope, identity, and life into His people. As we receive His voice and allow His words to fill our hearts, we are then able to put courage into one another. Our words matter because they help shape the atmosphere around us.
Encouragement begins with God. Throughout Scripture, when His people are afraid, uncertain, or facing something beyond themselves, God reminds them of who He is and that He is with them. His words do not simply describe their present circumstances. They call them toward who He has created and called them to be. Before we can become people who consistently encourage others, we need to know and receive the encouraging voice of God ourselves.
The twelve spies in Numbers 13 encountered the same land, the same fruit, and the same obstacles, but they did not release the same report. Ten allowed fear to shape their words, while Joshua and Caleb responded from faith in what God had promised. Our words have the ability to put courage into people or take courage from them. What fills our hearts eventually enters the atmosphere around us through what we say.
Encouraging speech is not avoiding truth, hard conversations, pain, or grief. It is also not toxic positivity. We do not have to deny darkness in order to speak hope. Instead, we look for where God is present and what He is doing in the middle of it. Even difficult conversations can be filled with grace and truth so that someone leaves with courage to continue becoming who God has called them to be.
God has given us His Spirit, and our voices can become a way that others encounter His hope, truth, identity, and courage. We want to become people who recognize what God is doing in others and are willing to say it out loud. As our hearts are filled with His voice, our speech can help shift the atmosphere of our homes, workplaces, friendships, and church to reflect the atmosphere of heaven.
Brooklyn Message Audio
