On Encouraging One Another {National Day of Encouragement}

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.- 1 Thessalonians 5:11

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Today is National Day of Encouragement.

Let's be honest, we can all use a little encouragement sometimes, can't we? Life can be overwhelming and crazy, and sometimes we just need someone to say they get it, to let us know we aren't alone.

A few weeks ago, I decided to take the kids on a little Target trip. I thought it would be a nice break from the house, but from the moment we arrived, the arguments began.

"I want to sit there."
"No I want to sit there!"
"Stop touching me."
"Don't look at me!"

About 15 minutes in and I was ready to pull my hair out and it showed all over my face. A mom shopping in the same area saw the ordeal and simply told me, "My kids were doing the same yesterday. I feel you."

A simple statement, but it broke up the tension and reminded me that we all deal with those moments, and we truly aren't alone as much as we can feel like it at times. On that day, I needed that small bit of encouragement.

It never ceases to amaze me just how much one little bit of encouragement or a random act of kindness can mean to someone having a rough day. It isn't something fancy, it doesn't have to be expensive- just offering someone a little reminder that they've got this. That God's got them.

On this day and beyond, I want to challenge each of us to find those moments throughout the day to offer encouragement wherever the opportunity arises:

• to the mom whose children are going crazy in the store.
• to the friend going through a divorce.
• to the cashier who has spent her day dealing with grumpy customers.
• to the friend dealing with health struggles.
• to the teacher working hard to make a difference for her students.
• to the wife whose husband is deployed.
• to the new mom battling sleepless nights.
• to everyone we meet along the way.

In this sometimes negative world we are living in, oh what a difference it can make if we just aim to build each other up.

How do you strive to encourage others? How have you been encouraged in your own life?