Let Us Encourage One Another – By Missy Lundy
When faced with challenging circumstances or just when having a bad day, it is nice to receive encouragement from others.  Positive words can be heard from whomever you cross paths with in your social network; a neighbor, a co-worker, a family member, a friend, a teacher, a coach, or a complete stranger.
Encouragement can be communicated in a variety of ways: “You can do this!” or “It will be alright.”  Positive words can be spoken aloud, sent in a text, or in a card. Encouragement is even felt in smiles and high fives.
During a road race, spectators cheer and hold up signs to show their support for the runners.  While running in a half-marathon, a sign in the crowd stood out to me. It read, “Hey stranger, I am proud of you!”  It was such a blessing to know that a complete stranger was encouraging me along the way; just enough to lift me up and keep me going.   “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).  We practice this scripture when our children say unkind words.  “We use words to build each other up, not to tear them down.”  Who can you encourage today? “You can do it, God believes in you!”

encouage