How To Encourage: Table of Conents
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HOW TO ENCOURAGE TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. WHAT COULD I SAY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

II. WHY ENCOURAGE

III. WHAT IS ENCOURAGEMENT

IV. NEW TESTAMENT ENCOURAGEMENT

V. BARNABAS THE BRIDGE-BUILDER

VI. PEOPLE'S GREATEST NEEDS

VII. FACING YOUR FEARS

VIII. HOW TO ENCOURAGE—POWER OF WORDS

IX. THE TASK IS NEVER AS GREAT AS THE POWER WITHIN YOU

X. OLD PICTURES-NEW FRAMES

XI. TREASURE HUNT YOUR PAIN

XII. WHEN TO ENCOURAGE

XIII. COMMIT TO CONNECT

XIV. WALK ACROSS THE ROOM

XV. ENCOURAGERS' TRAITS AND SKILLS

XVI. ENCOURAGEMENT PRINCIPLES SUMMARY

XVII. EXTRA TIPS AND TECHNIQUES

XVIII. ENCOURAGEMENT AND AFFIRMATION FOR CHILDREN

XIX. BEST TIME TO IMPACT

XX. BENEFITS OF A POSITIVE ATTITUDE

XXI. LOOKING FOR GOLD

XXII. HOW TO ENCOURAGE CHILDREN WHEN SICK

Howtoencourage.com copyright, 2006, revised 2010

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II. WHY ENCOURAGE

      Why should you spend valuable time, energy and money learning how to encourage people? The benefits are many. Ralph Waldo Emerson says, “It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.”1 BT Washington says, “Helping someone else is the secret of happiness.”2

• We give away a piece of our self when we give love, compassion and kindness to others; but it always comes back to bless us. Helping others fills the lonely places in us and builds character.
• Living beyond yourself for someone else brings meaning and purpose to your life. When life has meaning, life is bearable. There is an incredible feeling of satisfaction and worth when we share our gifts with others.
• People want to follow encouragers. When you inspire others to go past their comfort zone, they feel empowered and you have great influence over them.
• You develop grander vision thinking, which is looking at the inside at what a person could be. You become nurturing as you help that potential take root and grow.
• You will be able to understand people, not fear them, resulting in rich friendships. People want to be around upbeat positive people that care.
• When you learn how to cope positively with tragedy in your life and others, you become stronger, more adaptable and more self-reliant. The confidence gained from helping another reach his goal will impact your feelings of significance and security.
• Your emotional sphere expands as you learn to live your life with gratitude and generosity. Instead of worrying about what’s in it for me, your focus has changed to, ‘what can I do to lighten the load for someone else.’ Generous people have lots of friends.
• You will attract like-minded people who will be there for you when you need them. Alliances are created and friendships grow stronger when problems are shared.
• Your health depends on it. Learning to be positive during crisis is critical to long-term health. A recent health newsletter stated that ‘people-worry’ is the most subtle and destructive of all human diseases. Millions of people are ill because of fear, anxiety and feelings of utter hopelessness. Emotional and physical health are connected. Research shows that maintaining a positive attitude is the key to emotional resilience and may protect you from heart attack, stroke, depression, anxiety and substance abuse.

V. BARNABAS THE BRIDGE-BUILDER

      Barnabas is the most famous encourager in the New Testament. In fact he embodied encouragement so much that the apostles changed his name from Joseph to Barnabas, which means ‘son of encouragement.’ We first read of him in Acts 4:36 as his reputation was well-known throughout Jerusalem. The Bible describes him as good, full of the Holy Spirit and he owned land. He sold a field, gave the money to the first church, possibly the catalyst prompting others to give. This was the beginning of the period in Acts when no one among the believers lacked for anything. From Barnabas’ life, we learn some of the spirit and reputation of encouragers. They are of good character, generous with their time and possessions, and gracious toward the poor.

      Next we see Barnabas as the bridge-builder between the newly converted Saul and the church in Acts 9:27. Barnabas heard Saul’s testimony of being transformed by the Spirit of God, believed him and willingly testified to the apostles that he was a changed man. Barnabas believed in the potential of Paul and thus people. Encouragers believe temperament-transformation is possible with the help of God. Just think, where would Paul, the church, you and me be today if not for Barnabas?

“Characteristics of Good Encouragers
1. Good encouragers have to be genuine You can’t be phony. “Let love be without hypocrisy.” (Romans 12:9) Don’t fake it. Be real.
2. Good encouragers are diligent They’re hard workers. “Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” (Romans 12:11)
3. Good encouragers are assertive They take initiative. “Distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.” (Romans 12:13) Do you know why many people are not encouraged? Because everybody thinks somebody else is doing the encouraging. And while we think somebody else is doing it, we take no aggressive action.
4. Good encouragers are selfless They are concerned primarily for others. “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:14-15) Good encouragers give themselves away to others. Sarah Bernhardt reminds us, “life begets life, and energy creates energy. It is by spending oneself that we become rich.”1
5. Good encouragers have a spirit of humility “Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble.” (Romans 12:16)