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      Steven Covey has said, “Treat a man as he is and he will remain as he  is. Treat a man as he can and should be and he will become as he can and  should be.” There is great wisdom and truth in that. Encouragement  requires unselfishness and thoughtfulness. It requires our looking at  the other person and empathizing with their circumstances. It requires  genuine love, care, and concern. The interesting thing is that it does  not have to cost anything, take much time, or demand a lot of energy.  But, oh the benefit it gives to one who greatly needs it!

     Such vital people as Joshua (1:38), David (1 Samuel 23:16), Hezekiah (2 Kings 19), the priests during Josiah’s reign (2 Chronicles 35:2), the sons of Israel who returned from exile (Ezra 6:22), Darius the Mede (Daniel 11:1), the Christians in Syrian Antioch (Acts 11:23; 15:32), the brethren at Philippi (Acts 16:40), and Paul (Acts 18:27)  are recorded in the Bible as having received it. Judges, kings,  priests, children of God, Christians, apostles, and even those who were  not in a covenant relationship with God all needed and benefited from  receiving encouragement. That tells me that everyone I meet could use  whatever encouragement I can give.

So, what can I do to encourage the people I encounter today?

• Express genuine gratitude to someone for something he or she specifically does or demonstrates.
• Pay someone an unexpected compliment.
• Tell someone’s superior how much you appreciate their work, service, etc.
• Do a task or favor for someone who seems stressed or depressed.
• Look someone in the eye and sincerely ask them how they are doing.
• Pay attention to one who may ordinarily labor anonymously (parking attendant, security officer, door greeter, janitor, etc.).
• Show interest in a co-worker or employee who seems lonely, discouraged, or is new.
• Write  a kind note to someone else at church (for extra credit, let it be  someone you do not know well), to a preacher you may or may not know who  you appreciate, or to an acquaintance from your town or neighborhood.
• Smile and wave at a little child or an elderly person you come across.

      Challenge yourself to find additional ways and people you can  encourage. Make it more than a daily dare. Make it an everyday effort.  You cannot know the full, positive impact you will have and the social,  emotional, and even spiritual revolution you can begin in your home,  your congregation, and your community. Maybe you, too, can earn a  nickname like Barnabas had, and be known as a Son or Daughter of  Encouragement (cf. Acts 4:36)! Have you given someone a shot of Vitamin E today? What are you waiting for?  

Neal Pollard  06/29/25