The nineteenth-century writer Walt Whitman struggled for years to get anyone interested in his poetry. In the midst of his discouragement he received a life-changing note from an admirer of his work. The note read, "Dear Sir, I am not blind to the worth of the wonderful gift of Leaves of Grass. I find it the most extraordinary piece of wit and wisdom that America has yet contributed. I greet you at the beginning of a great career." It was signed by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Whitman enjoyed a long career and is now considered one of the giants of American literature.
But when times were tough he needed encouragement to keep going. And he's not alone. When we're on the brink of failure, the right word at the right time can keep us in the game. When we're too tired or discouraged to keep going, an act of compassion can give us new strength.
Encouragement is one of the central themes of the Bible:
"Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad" (Pr 12:25)
"Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees" (Isa 35:3).
"For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you,'Fear not, I will help you'" (Isa 41:13).
Encouragement doesn't deny the problem; it enables us to overcome it. It doesn't validate stubbornness or stupidity; it simply corrects and guides us in the right path. It doesn't leave us alone to carry the burden, it lets us know that God is present to help and strengthen us. So today, encourage somebody!
1 comment:
Encouragement is one of the most powerful forces I've ever known. We need to find the greatness in people reach inside and pull it out so that it is visible to self and others.
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