Encouragement Needs To Be Specific

“Let your life be a stepping stone to Christ and not a stumbling block.” 1 Cor. 8:13 & 10:31

"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify God who is in heaven." Matt. 5:16

Encouragement Needs To Be Specific

By Rick Warren

“We who are strong in the faith ought to help the weak in order to build them up in the faith.” Romans 15:1

Jesus encouraged people, and he told those who are strong in faith to make a point of encouraging others in their faith.

You should encourage the people around you too.

We all need confidence. When you know that someone believes in you, it brings out your best. Jesus did this with the Apostle Peter. Peter's name, Petros, meant pebble. But Jesus said, “Pebble, you're going to be a rock. I'm giving you a new name.”

When Jesus said that to Peter the apostle was anything but a rock. He was Mr. Impulsive and Mr. Foot-in-Mouth, but Jesus didn't tell Peter what he WAS. Jesus told him what he could BE. Jesus encouraged Peter to live up to his potential.  

When you give encouragement, it needs to be genuine. Give it from the heart and with sincerity. Encouragement also needs to be regular. Don’t be stingy with your encouragement.

In addition, encouragement needs to be specific. For instance, instead of saying, "I enjoyed the meal,” say, "I can tell you put a lot of effort into this meal and the seasoning you chose was perfect.”

Who will you encourage today? What specific thing will you say?

Rick Warren is author of the New York Times bestseller The Purpose Driven Life and The Purpose Driven Church, which was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th Century.