“…let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds…let us encourage one another…” Hebrew 10:24-25.

None of us wants to be a source of discouragement, yet, if we’re not careful, we can find ourselves being more discouraging than encouraging. It’s human nature. Our relationships are impacted negatively when that happens because discouragers repel people, encouragers attract.

Encouragement is vital for life and for relationships. If you want to have people beating down your door to be your friend be an encourager. Encouragement is like a cool breeze on a hot summer day. It revives and refreshes. It’s like a cold drink to parched thirst. It renews and gives strength. Encouragement helps you overcome when you feel overwhelmed. It helps you soar rather than sink. It helps you to be a victor rather than a victim.  “Encouragement is like high-grade fuel. It takes the knock out of living.”

We all hunger and thirst for encouragement. When encouragement comes our way, we soak it up like a sponge. We’re always ready for more because it’s often what God uses to get us through the day. If you want to be the kind of person that people love to be around or if you simply want to influence people in a positive way learn the art of encouragement.