The word encourage means literally “to put courage into another person.” We share encouragement with
others so that they might have more courage to live victoriously in this world. In turn, we are encouraged
as we read God's Word, the supreme message of encouragement.
Consider again the themes in this study book:
• You are loved by God.
• You can receive forgiveness.
• You are destined for eternal life in heaven.
• God is in absolute control and we can trust Him to make a way where there is no way.
• God enables you by the power of the Holy Spirit to live a victorious life over evil and to lead a virtuous
life.
• You can live in freedom from evil, and live in freedom to pursue your God-given potential and to serve others.
• You are being changed into the likeness of Jesus Christ.
• God will make a way through any storm you experience.
• God will give you His answer, His wisdom, His counsel.
What wonderful promises we have been given in God's Word. God Himself is our Supreme Encourager! He is the One
who imparts courage to us so that we might face life with an assurance that all things are being worked
together for our highest and eternal good (Rom. 8:28).
When we allow ourselves truly to be encouraged by God's Word, two things happen in us:
1. We experience an abiding sense of God's peace and joy at the very deepest level of our being.
2. We have a growing desire to share God's Word with others.
If you are not experiencing God's peace and joy today, ask God to show you why you aren't. His desire
is that you rest fully in Him and that you have an exhilaration about your life and a hope for your future. He
wants you to have courage that flows from knowing fully that He is present with You and will never leave you nor
forsake you.
Allow yourself to be encouraged. Choose to take in God's promises and receive God's encouragement.
And then, what you have received from God, freely share with others. Every person you meet—today and every day—needs
the encouragement that you are equipped to give.
From Sharing the Gift of Encouragement by
Charles Stanley. Copyright 1998 by Charles Stanley.
