Hi Everyone! I hope you had a safe and happy weekend. I know there were some surprising storms that popped up in our area with some damage that was worse than the storms of April 27. I'm so glad everyone is safe though.
As you know, my birthday was on Friday -- turning 48 wasn't the best birthday I've ever had. It's funny how stress affects people. It makes us say things we don't mean and hear things that weren't intended. I think it's all a matter of managing our emotions a little better and speaking with words of encouragement rather than tearing others down in an effort to be humorous. I'm glad this birthday has come and gone and I look forward to the coming year -- my best present was the gift of rain from my Father....thank you Lord!
We've spent the last few Mondays on spiritual gifts. Today, I'd like to share some characteristics of the encourager. The gift of encouragement is sometimes called the gift of exhortation. To Exhort means to empower others, urging them sometimes with force or power - to motivate with the truth of God's Word. Encouragement means to inspire with courage, spirit and hope. This is the essence of the person who is gifted in encouragement. It's more than just speaking a kind word or having a positive attitude. Encouragers are able to see the bright side in any situation and are able to find good in others when it would appear there is none. They exhort others to press on, move forward, do the right thing -- they make great motivators, counselors, teachers, and speakers. They typically enjoy people and are comfortable in small or large groups. They are often the "life of the party" and don't mind being the center of attention.
When operating in the Spirit, the encourager has supernatural ability to speak the truth in love to others in areas that can be uncomfortable. They can motivate groups to go forth into battle - and keep going when times get tough. Outside the Spirit, though, the encourager may battle depression, narcissism, selfishness and a sharp tongue that can do great damage if not seasoned with self-control. Encouragers who don't refuel can become exhausted and one of the key ways to know if this person is running on empty is to listen to the way they talk. If they are negative, down, selfish or hurt, burnout may be the issue. Encouragers are also sensitive and may be artistic. Because of this they are highly intuitive to their surroundings and may sense discouragement when it's not intended.
Careers for the spiritually gifted Encourager can be broad in scale. Sales, teaching, motivational speaking, counseling, media personalities, politics, public relations, etc. may be great options for this type of person. Encouragers can be introverted or extroverted but at the core they are always able to see the positive outcome and have a strong need to work in positive environments. Poor career choices for the encourager would be those away from people. While encouragers do well independently, they are people oriented and aren't complete unless they are using this gift both in the church as well as outside the church.
In the church, the encourager is a great person to have around the pastoral staff. They are good teachers, but may not use Scripture references as often as they should, even though they truly believe every word of it is true and meaningful for all of life. They make wonderful counselors because they usually have a lot of life experience and can make practical application from Scripture naturally to most any situation. They love to talk and laugh and can lighten the mood in tense situations. Because of their light-hearted nature, encouragers and administrators sometimes don't mix well. Administrators can be very serious-minded where the encourager prefers a jovial atmosphere. It's not that the encourager isn't able to be serious when necessary, it's that a room full of serious-minded individuals might not appreciate the levity in a stressful or serious situation. Encouragers can feed off of distracting conversation and can get an entire group off track if given the stage. But they are so important to the church body to empower others with the truth of God's word in such a way that even difficult subjects will be accepted more smoothly and in difficult times, the encourager can truly brighten the mood. They are often gifted performers who are able to add to any worship service and the room lights up with encouragers are present.
Barnabas was a great encourager to Paul. Peter, James and John were great encouragers to Jesus. David was an encourager to himself and to so many during battle and his reign as King.
Paul said of the church of Philippi - "I thank God every time I remember you" in Philippians 1:3 - this church was such an encouragement to Paul and provided for him in ways that weren't just physical -- they were mature believers who were passionate about the Gospel.
If you have the gift of encouragement, please use it to encourage your pastor, ministerial staff and church family. Be a voice of unity and harmony and not division. In your workplace and family, use your gift to lift up others who are hurting or down-trodden - even yourself at times. Find wisdom in the Truth of God's Word and share it with others when you have the opportunity.
Find humor in day to day living and enjoy life one day at a time.
May this day be a blessing to you -- see ya tomorrow! Amy
As you know, my birthday was on Friday -- turning 48 wasn't the best birthday I've ever had. It's funny how stress affects people. It makes us say things we don't mean and hear things that weren't intended. I think it's all a matter of managing our emotions a little better and speaking with words of encouragement rather than tearing others down in an effort to be humorous. I'm glad this birthday has come and gone and I look forward to the coming year -- my best present was the gift of rain from my Father....thank you Lord!
We've spent the last few Mondays on spiritual gifts. Today, I'd like to share some characteristics of the encourager. The gift of encouragement is sometimes called the gift of exhortation. To Exhort means to empower others, urging them sometimes with force or power - to motivate with the truth of God's Word. Encouragement means to inspire with courage, spirit and hope. This is the essence of the person who is gifted in encouragement. It's more than just speaking a kind word or having a positive attitude. Encouragers are able to see the bright side in any situation and are able to find good in others when it would appear there is none. They exhort others to press on, move forward, do the right thing -- they make great motivators, counselors, teachers, and speakers. They typically enjoy people and are comfortable in small or large groups. They are often the "life of the party" and don't mind being the center of attention.
When operating in the Spirit, the encourager has supernatural ability to speak the truth in love to others in areas that can be uncomfortable. They can motivate groups to go forth into battle - and keep going when times get tough. Outside the Spirit, though, the encourager may battle depression, narcissism, selfishness and a sharp tongue that can do great damage if not seasoned with self-control. Encouragers who don't refuel can become exhausted and one of the key ways to know if this person is running on empty is to listen to the way they talk. If they are negative, down, selfish or hurt, burnout may be the issue. Encouragers are also sensitive and may be artistic. Because of this they are highly intuitive to their surroundings and may sense discouragement when it's not intended.
Careers for the spiritually gifted Encourager can be broad in scale. Sales, teaching, motivational speaking, counseling, media personalities, politics, public relations, etc. may be great options for this type of person. Encouragers can be introverted or extroverted but at the core they are always able to see the positive outcome and have a strong need to work in positive environments. Poor career choices for the encourager would be those away from people. While encouragers do well independently, they are people oriented and aren't complete unless they are using this gift both in the church as well as outside the church.
In the church, the encourager is a great person to have around the pastoral staff. They are good teachers, but may not use Scripture references as often as they should, even though they truly believe every word of it is true and meaningful for all of life. They make wonderful counselors because they usually have a lot of life experience and can make practical application from Scripture naturally to most any situation. They love to talk and laugh and can lighten the mood in tense situations. Because of their light-hearted nature, encouragers and administrators sometimes don't mix well. Administrators can be very serious-minded where the encourager prefers a jovial atmosphere. It's not that the encourager isn't able to be serious when necessary, it's that a room full of serious-minded individuals might not appreciate the levity in a stressful or serious situation. Encouragers can feed off of distracting conversation and can get an entire group off track if given the stage. But they are so important to the church body to empower others with the truth of God's word in such a way that even difficult subjects will be accepted more smoothly and in difficult times, the encourager can truly brighten the mood. They are often gifted performers who are able to add to any worship service and the room lights up with encouragers are present.
Barnabas was a great encourager to Paul. Peter, James and John were great encouragers to Jesus. David was an encourager to himself and to so many during battle and his reign as King.
Paul said of the church of Philippi - "I thank God every time I remember you" in Philippians 1:3 - this church was such an encouragement to Paul and provided for him in ways that weren't just physical -- they were mature believers who were passionate about the Gospel.
If you have the gift of encouragement, please use it to encourage your pastor, ministerial staff and church family. Be a voice of unity and harmony and not division. In your workplace and family, use your gift to lift up others who are hurting or down-trodden - even yourself at times. Find wisdom in the Truth of God's Word and share it with others when you have the opportunity.
Find humor in day to day living and enjoy life one day at a time.
May this day be a blessing to you -- see ya tomorrow! Amy
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