But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness (Hebrews 3:13 NIV).

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When was the last time you went out of your way to intentionally encourage someone?

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As you may know, we’re in chapter 3 of Hebrews as we study “The Drift,” a 13-week journey through the book of Hebrews that calls us to bold, unshakable faith in a culture that’s constantly pulling us away from truth. The truth that jumped out at me in Hebrews 3 is a practical one – encourage each other daily. Not “compare yourself to someone daily,” not “comment on a post daily,” not “correct someone on the Glenn Highway daily,” etc….  The author of Hebrews says to encourage one another daily.

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I’m not normally very encouraging. I don’t usually praise someone for doing their job; I save my praise for those who perform well above expectations. I will thank people for their work, but I don’t typically encourage them. But for the last two weeks, I’ve tried to be intentional about encouraging others, and it’s not just the recipient who benefits. I’ve benefited, as well.

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Did you know that the word encouragement comes from the French word for “to make strong to” or “to give heart”? It really means to take courage, and typically that means giving someone support, hope, or confidence. Someone who was known for their encouragement was one of the leaders in the early church, Barnabas. He was even given the nickname, the Son of Encouragement.  

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Are you like Barnabas; are you an intentional encourager?

Here’s my challenge for you – today, just today, see if you can encourage 5 people above and beyond what you would normally do. How can you do it?

Send one encouraging e-mail that praises someone for their work.

Send one encouraging text that lifts up someone who needs help.

Make one phone call to tell someone that you’re praying for them and explain how you’re praying for them.

Talk to one person face-to-face to tell them that they are doing a good job at being a parent, being a student, being a spouse, being a friend, or doing some kind of work.

Write one note of encouragement. Maybe it’s a sticky note, maybe it’s a postcard, or maybe it’s a letter – but write it with a pen or pencil.

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You’ll be encouraged when you do….