The Legacy of Encouragement

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 

1 Thessalonians 5:11

I have found that there is never a time in my life when I don’t appreciate a sincerely given word of encouragement.  I can tell you with great certainty, that I always feel the pain of a discouraging word.  On the other hand, when someone shares a word of encouragement, the Lord seems to use it as the seedbed for hope, motivation, and personal growth.

Within the last two weeks, one of my “encouragers” was called home to be with her heavenly Father.  Her name is Teresa.  She profoundly touched my life in such a positive way. Her legacy in part, to me and many others, will be her gentle voice, loving smile and an sweet spirit.  She was truly a role model of encouragement. She consistently lived out this lifestyle of positive reinforcement while fighting the cancer that finally captured her body. 

She will not be forgotten.

Will you include in your legacy the gift of encouragement to others?  Will you, with me, make it a part of your core value system to intentionally and consistently use your words to encourage rather than discourage?

Let’s, together, make this a part of the clearly seen and felt culture of Calvary Church!

Every Blessing,

Alan

Dealing with disappointment: Step 1.

We all deal with disappointment. It seems to be a necessary ingredient in the recipe of life. Sadly, learning the skills of dealing with disappointment won't be wasted effort. Maybe this will help...

Maybe you've read the story of the two men on the way to Emmaus right after Jesus' passion (Luke 24). Their disappointment with the events over the weekend was palpable. They were followers (the New Testament word is "disciples") of Jesus but he had been killed. What's more, they had heard rumours that Jesus had risen from the grave, which confused them more than excited them. I don't blame them...I think I would be in the same frame of mind.  

Anyway, they were so engrossed in their despair and confusion that they didn't recognize Jesus when he joined them along the way.

Among the many lessons to be learned in this story is that being preoccupied with our own frustrations keeps us from looking for Jesus IN them!

Hmmm...maybe the first step in dealing with disappointment is looking for Jesus in it not for a way out of it.

What do you think?

 

PS: By the way, did you notice that they were walking entirely in the wrong direction...away from the support of fellow followers. Maybe turning to your support group is step 2!