- Give support, confidence, or hope to (someone)
- Give support and advice to (someone) to do or continue something
I know that God gives us spiritual gifts and that we are instructed to use them to His glory. I've often wanted to have gifts that I've seen God instill in other people. I've been blessed to be around people that possess the gift of teaching, singing, hospitality, witnessing to others and those that speak great words of wisdom. I once read that spiritual gifts are used to "strengthen others" and not to worry so much about trying to find the correct "label" for your gift before using it to build up the faith of those around you.
As I was driving home today I was thinking about the people God has placed in my life over the course of the last year. I began to realize that I've gotten to walk with so many of these amazing people as they were going through something tough...whether that be a tough relationship, health problems, a death, job loss or just a down right bad day. I don't know that there is such a thing as "the gift of being an encourager" (hmmm...that sounds a little too wordy) or to necessarily say I'm good at it, but it's been a blessing to walk through life with people and help them realize they aren't alone. It's been a blessing in my life to really dig in and make relationships with people around me. It's amazing to see how taking the time to invest in people and really love them can in turn be such a blessing to me.
I like the definition listed above that states "to encourage is to give someone support, confidence and hope." To be able to give someone that ....or even more for God to show someone His support, confidence and hope THROUGH me is a big deal.
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