Encouragement beyond mere Talking

I like what Max Lucado writes in The Inspirational Study Bible when he tells a story about a general whose army was afraid to fight. The soldiers were frightened. The enemy was too strong. Its fortress was too high and weapons too mighty. The king, however, was not afraid. He knew his men would win. How could he convince them?

He had an idea. He told his soldiers that he possessed a magical coin. A prophetic coin. A coin which would foretell the outcome of the battle. On one side was an eagle and on the other a bear. He would toss the coin. If it landed eagle-side up, they would win. If it landed with the bear up, they would lose. The army was silent as the coin flipped in the air. Soldiers circled as it fell to the ground. They held their breath as they looked and shouted when they saw the eagle. The army would win.

Bolstered by the assurance of victory, the men marched against the castle and won. It was only after the victory that the king showed the men the coin. The two sides were identical. Max Lucado concludes, though the story is fictional, the truth is reliable: assured victory empowers the army.

People need encouragement to be victorious when they stand at life's crossroads, when they feel that life's challenges are stronger than they are. Give encouragement for your team, your friends and family. Encouragement inspires people to do their best and to be gracious, loving, and encouraging to others. 

To encourage others, you may not need to say a single word, just live a righteous life. More than often, people will be encouraged just by looking at how you do things in daily life. May through your encouragements, they gain confidence and only by God they are assured – and win victoriously. Solomon comments,

"A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.' (Proverbs 15:30)

Related post: Week 18: Encouragement - What you and I need. 

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