Lift Someone's Spirit
There is no question that the world is filled with bad news. Like an unrelenting avalanche, it comes at us day after day. Stories about tragedies, crime, economic pressures, along with concern over our own personal problems and pain contribute to overwhelming feelings of anxiety and despair. All of this can leave us with a very heavy heart.
In the midst of such a world, God calls us to be His helpers, His “assistants,” His instruments of love, grace, support and encouragement. As the God of hope and encouragement, He longs to get His good news message out to people who are hurting, worried, grieving and afraid. He is looking for people who use their voice to speak His words — words that lift and inspire the heavy-hearted.
The writer of Proverbs described the power of such words and the impact of such a person:
“Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.” — Proverbs 12:25 (NLT)
The Hebrew term for “worry” can also be translated “heaviness.” It refers to anxiety and apprehension over trouble. It speaks of the negative emotions we feel when receiving or anticipating bad news.
The Bible gives us the solution for a heavy heart. The cure for such anxiety and apprehension is an “encouraging word.” One translation reads, “a good word.” The Hebrew phrase refers to a message that lifts someone’s spirit out of their preoccupation with the bad and ugly and refocuses it on the pleasant possibilities and potential.
You are a communicator of bad news or good news; discouraging thoughts or encouraging thoughts; anxiety, fear and despair or faith, hope and love. The world already has enough of the negative, go for the positive. Lift someone’s spirit today!
Dale O'Shields
For more information, visit the Church of the Redeemer's website.
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