Encourage Greatness!

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. – Hebrews 10:24-25

We must never forget that our words have great power. A hurtful word may stick with the recipient and gnaw at them for years. As Proverbs 12:18 says, those words can be like a sword thrust. But kind words of encouragement can inspire greatness. Whether you are encouraging those around you to pursue God, as in the verse above, encouraging them to seek their dreams, or just giving someone a pat on the back, the love you show them will make a huge impact in their lives.

Read the following short story about some encouraging words that led to a masterpiece then watch this great short film about the power of encouragement!

[content-ad]

Some of the greatest success stories of history have followed a word of encouragement or an act of confidence by a loved one or a trusting friend. Had it not been for a confident wife, Sophia, we might not have listed among the great names of literature the name of Nathaniel Hawthorne. When Nathaniel, a heartbroken man, went home to tell his wife that he was a failure and had been fired from his job in a customhouse, she surprised him with an exclamation of joy.

“Now,” she said triumphantly, “you can write your book!”

“Yes,” replied the man, with sagging confidence, “and what shall we live on while I am writing it?”

To his amazement, she opened a drawer and pulled out a substantial amount of money. “Where on earth did you get that?” he exclaimed.

“I have always known you were a man of genius,” she told him. “I knew that someday you would write a masterpiece. So every week, out of the money you gave me for housekeeping, I saved a little bit. So here is enough to last us for one whole year.”

From her trust and confidence came one of the greatest novels of American literature, The Scarlet Letter.

– Nido Qubein