Day 4 of 21-Day Sugar Fast
Are we helping others with our words or are we hurting them? Are we generous with refreshing words or are we stingy? Are we bringing healing to others or are we adding to their pain and burden?
The Lord desires for His children to be refreshed, lifted up, encouraged, and loved. But too often our words do the opposite. The Bible says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22 (NIV)
Are we bringing good medicine with a cheerful heart and cheerful words or are we crushing spirits with our words and drying up their bones, their heart, and their soul? Let’s be generous with refreshing words and see what happens to those around us.
Five years ago, my public writing journey began. To say I was scared, nervous, and doubtful doesn’t even touch the raw emotions I felt when I hit the publish button on my first blog post. And the feeling didn’t go away after I knew my words shot out into the world. Truthfully, these emotions intensified. With each blog post, my heart pounded, my stomach churned, and my hands tingled.
Initially, I wasn’t sure people were even reading my blog posts. Oh, they first one yes. Lots of “congratulations” and “good for you” were shared with me. But over the next few months, only a few read my words, which only made me more nervous and doubtful.
What was I doing sharing publicly? Why am I doing this? These questions permeated my thoughts. But I knew why. Jesus called me to be a writer for Him, to encourage others, to help train them up in His ways. Still, I was scared.
I’ve said it many times, encouragers need encouragement too. While the Lord has given me the spiritual gift of encouragement, and He Himself encourages me, I’ve also experienced the power of human encouragers in my life.
One day, one such person sent me mail! I mean, the old-fashioned, hand-written notecard sent through the US Postal Service, kind of mail. Not an email, not an instant message, a real notecard arrived in my mailbox outside my house!
The impact of her words exploded my heart with joy, gratitude, and excitement. I had encouraged someone with my words for months and didn’t know it. My words mattered to her and here I was now being encouraged by her. I’ll never forget how much her words mattered to me. Encouragers need encouragement.
Words Have Power
As a writer, I’ve learned words matter. Not just any words. God wants us to be generous with refreshing words. Because our words have the power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21).
Have you been on the receiving end of someone refreshing your soul? They say something that lifts the heaviness of your heart and you can physically feel a weight from your chest and shoulders come off. When someone is generous with kind words, it’s like healing ointment.
But if someone comes along and dumps words of anxiety, criticism, or anger onto us, it can crush our spirit and drag us down.
Yes, words matter. They have the ability to either bless or burden, bring life or death, bring good medicine or poison to our souls. We need to be generous with refreshing words.
The Boomerang of Being Generous with Refreshing Words
The refreshing of the soul that we can bring to someone else is like a boomerang. It comes back and refreshes us too.
Every time we converse with someone, whether verbally or in written form, we have the power to bring life to them. The Bible says that “whoever refreshes others will be refreshed” and that a generous person will prosper (Proverbs 11:25). The Bible also says that what we sow we will reap (Galatians 6:7). So, if we sow generously kind, cheerful, life-giving words, we will receive the same back.
For years I’ve continued to write to encourage others. For years, I’ve continued to receive the old-fashioned, hand-written notecards sent through the US Postal Service from this same wonderful person. These letters and cards are filled with encouragement just for me. In fact, I just received another one this week. It came just in time to refresh me.
Yes, encouragers need encouragement. And yes, what we sow we will reap. It’s a boomerang effect. God’s Word is true. Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
Do you need some refreshment for your soul? Then be generous with refreshing words with others and just see if God doesn’t send it back to you.
This is powerful, Michelle! Praying for God’s continuous anointing on you. Keep on doing the good work.
Thank you, Elizabeth. You’ve always been one who refreshes me. I pray the Lord sends it right back to you and refreshes you too.
With love and appreciation for all you’ve taught me and how you’ve discipled me.
Michelle
You are always in my thoughts even if I haven’t been as responsive as I could be. I read all your writings and take them to heart. Love you.
Teena, I can’t imagine who I’d be if you had not poured into me. You have been a mentor, friend, and well, like my big sister. I’m so grateful for all the years of encouragement from you. Let’s see, since I’ve been married 35 years, it’s been more than 35 years of encouragement, prayers, and love from you. Wow am I blessed!
You have truly refreshed my soul! 🙂
with love and appreciation,
Michelle