The Simple Pleasure of Encouraging Words

"Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." Proverbs 16:24

Now that fall truly is in the air it is quite common to find me wrapped in a blanket of some sort - whether I'm reading, watching a movie, or taking a nap - a blanket fills me with warmth and security. It is no wonder then that I own several blankets in various colors and thicknesses.

The Sunday School lesson I was teaching yesterday required a blanket as a prop. The theme of this month is respect and yesterday's topic was showing respect to others with your words. The blanket was to be used as an illustration showing how words can be used to comfort. I really liked that illustration because just like I keep a blanket around me to ward off the chill in the air, an encouraging and comforting word is needed for me to ward off the chilling words either spoken to me by others or the negative thoughts that spring up in my mind.

Everyday it seems that we are assaulted with words or thoughts that we're not good enough. Commercials try to convince us that we aren't beautiful enough unless we buy certain beauty products, we might hear negative opinions about the way we do things from co-workers or other people in our lives, and then there is the litany of negative thoughts about ourselves that seem to constantly run through our minds. With all of those negative words being spoken and thought we really need to wrap ourselves up in a thick blanket of soothing, comforting, and uplifting words.

The best blanket that I have found to wrap myself up in when negative thoughts are swirling in my mind is my Bible. It is here that God tells me how much He loves me and cares for me. He tells me that I am beautiful because He made me to be exactly the way I am. They are words that soothe, heal, and sink deep down into my soul. Some of my favorite verses to wrap around myself include

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18

"By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me - a prayer to the God of my life." Psalm 42:8

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior," Isaiah 43:2-3a

"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;" Isaiah 49:15-16a

My final thought for today is for you to take five minutes out of your day today to either say, write, or text someone an encouraging word. It could make all the difference in their day.