Encouragement - The 30 day challenge

            Last week I wrote a post about the need for encouragement. Our world is anemic when it comes to kind words and actions. There is a critical deficit in love, kindness and positive imput.

            This deficiency hit me in a powerful way this past week when someone in our family took his own life. He was only in his twenties, with a whole life ahead of him. None of us knew he was suffering so much inside that he’d choose to end it all; not even his girlfriend. He’d put on a good face, kept up the image that he was doing just fine while all the time, he was dying inside.

            I’d like to spend the next 30 days together, finding myriads of opportunities to encourage others. I’ve provided a list here below. Some days you might discover that the person listed is no longer in your life… sit down and write some of the biggest blessings that person brought to your life and qualities they had that you’d like to incorporate into your own life. Other days, you might not feel comfortable with the person I’ve chosen for that day. Feel free to just pick someone of your own choice. Or feel free to mix up the days, according to your own schedule.

            Either way, please join me in this 30 day challenge to bring some joy and hope into our hurting world.

DAY 1 – Your spouse. Tell them a few of the things you appreciate the most about them. Be specific.

DAY 2 – Your children and/or grandchildren. If they still live with you, tell them what you like the most about them. Again, be specific. If they no longer live with you, send them a little note or card. Tell them how much you love them.

DAY 3 – Your pastor and his spouse – Thank them for their ministry. Are they a godly example? Tell them so. Promise to pray for them… and do so.

DAY 4 – A neighbor – Do they act friendly towards you? Do they keep their home & yard neat? Thank them.

DAY 5 – A teacher – Have they invested themselves in your child? Are they kind, gentle, patient and show up every school day? In my opinion, school teachers deserve a lot of praise!

DAY 6 – The musicians at your church. Do they lead the congregation in a spirit of worship? Are they skilled vocally or instrumentally? Tell them.

DAY 7 – A Sunday school teacher – Do they show up on time, challenge your/your child’s thinking?

DAY 8 – A cafeteria worker at school or at work – They show up every day and make sure your food is hot or cold!

DAY 9 – Your mail carrier – rain or snow, they make sure your mail shows up every day!

DAY 10 – Someone you meet today

DAY 11 – A sibling. What would your life be like without your brother (s) or sister (s)?

DAY 12 – An elder at your church – thank them for their service.

DAY 13 – A law-enforcement officer or public safety officer. What would our world be like without them?

DAY 14 – A friend you haven’t seen in a while. Think back to why you are friends. What qualities do they have that you appreciate?

DAY 15 – A widow (er). Send them a note of encouragement. They are often very lonely and still grieving. A kind word can make such a difference in their day!

DAY 16 – A single parent. They have a real challenge! Encourage them by praising the way they care for their children, their commitment to provide for their child’s needs. Maybe even offer to babysit for them sometime?

DAY 17 – Mother or father – what have they done to provide for you, be an example to you, lead you in the right direction and support you in good times and bad times?

DAY 18 – School principal/superintendent, or school board member. They are the oil in the gears, keeping everything running smoothly. But they often go unnoticed.

DAY 19 – A coworker. How do they make your workday better?

DAY 20 – A Christian public figure (ie: Ted Cruz, Candace Cameron Bure). I sent an email to Candace (she’s an actress on Full House) and on the View- I thanked her for sharing the Gospel of Jesus- Christ on The View and for being a Christian voice on public television.

DAY 21 – An aunt or an uncle. How did they impact your life?

DAY 22 – Someone who had a big impact on your life. Be specific.

DAY 23 – The parent of a special-needs child. Their task is often very difficult and some days can be exhausting and so discouraging. A word of praise for the way they are caring for their child can do them a world of good!

DAY 24 – A veteran or someone currently serving our country.

DAY 25 – A missionary and their family. Proverbs 25:25.

DAY 26 – School secretary – she also holds it all together.

DAY 27 – Someone you don’t really care for. Find something about them that is worthy of a kind word. Maybe it will help you see them in a different light.

DAY 28 – Free day – pick your own!

DAY 29 – Yourself. Yes, list all your qualities and accomplishments. Encouraging yourself is just as important as encouraging others.

DAY 30 – God. God doesn’t need our encouragement. But he deserves our praise. Thank him for who he is, what he’s done and all the encouragements in his Word. It will also encourage you.

            Congratulations! You’ve encouraged so many people this month. Just think of the impact you’ve had on tired bodies, weary souls, heavy-leaden people and maybe even someone who was at the brink of despair.

            Let’s not stop there, though. Let’s make it a regular practice to speak words of life to everyone we know and meet. It’s good medicine to the soul.

About the author:

I am the daughter of TEAM missionaries (The Evangelical Alliance Mission). I was raised in France, attended French schools, obtained my French Baccalaureate then attended Emmaus Bible College in Switzerland where I graduated with a degree in Bible and Theology.

I now live in the Missouri Ozarks with my husband Len and my three sons, one of whom has been diagnosed with Asperger’s.

I am a member of the Ozarks’ Chapter of American Christian Writers and a founding member of the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild.