Just Try…
Aren’t we all a little tired or tweets, likes, smileys, and thumbs up? The constant desire for more and the let down of not being ‘liked’ – by people we don’t even know. Maybe we need an ‘insincere love’ break.
Facebook posts get lost in the feed and thumbs up are forgotten – but what about an old fashioned handwritten note? A real phone call? Or how about a bear hug to show you appreciate someone? Maybe our technological advances that fill up our time are leaving our hearts a bit empty.
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1Thessalonians 5:11 NIV)
No one walks this earth that doesn’t have the deep down longing to know they have value, that somebody cares. God knew we would need His love letter, the Bible, as our constant, but He also knows we all need a little encouragement with skin on. Throughout His Word He reminds us to build each other up. Even those that are difficult – He calls us to bless them. Even when we don’t feel like it – He tells us to try.
“Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.” (1Thessalonians 5:15 NIV)
What if we look the homeless man with the sign in the eye and share a smile instead of only a dollar? What if we hold the door for the elderly person, pick up the dropped car keys for the businessman, or tell the crying toddler’s mom she’s doing just fine? Or maybe we bring it all a bit closer home: kind words at the end of a busy day, patience for the rude neighbor, grace for remarks snapped at us?
God lavishes mercy, love, and grace on us – not to hold on to, but to flow out of us to the souls we pass by and the ones we dwell with. Oh how I need to remember to share the heart of Jesus our Encourager – or at least just try. How about you? Need a little encouragement?
If you stopped by because you read my devotion today over at Encouragement Cafe, WELCOME! So glad you are here!
parisrenae 
Great reminder to be an encourager! I know how great I feel when someone has encouraged me…I want to pass that feeling along!
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You are a natural encourager. Jesus gave us such great examples of what it looks like, and I know He encourages you daily – and you pass it right along.
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This has been the theme of my heart this week, friend. God likes to make those connections with us, doesn’t He? 🙂 I finished reading a book that spoke heavily of this and it lit a fire in me to do better. To “try” harder. Thanks for making sure I haven’t forgotten. 🙂 ((xoxo))
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That is amazing – I’m always in awe when God is working in Christian’s hearts the same message. Confirmation that we are listening to His Spirit and being obedient 🙂
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Sometimes that’s all we can…just try…and we discover that it is all God expected from us anyway! Love this. It’s similar to the mantra I tell myself: Just show up. I wrote about it this week as well so we are on the same page. 🙂
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Isn’t He the greatest at comforting us – no high expectations or lofty goals – just a love that says ‘You’re the best and I love you’. I love it too, when fellow Jesus girls are on the same page in their writing – confirmation 🙂
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