Regular Replenishment

4-20-2011 by Boyd Bailey

Regular Replenishment


“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25

Everyone is in need of encouragement. Each day life issues extract courage from other human beings. Indeed, we all are candidates to receive back courage from another caring soul. We need to hear, “Job well done”, “You can do it”, “You are a blessing”, “You are a gift from the Lord”, “I need you” and “I love you”. Like the gas tank in an automobile, people need a regular fill up of encouraging words, kind deeds and a listening ear.

Spouses especially need encouragement, so that they will feel: love, accepted and respected. Children need encouragement, so that they feel: love and the security around well defined boundaries. Work associates need the balance of many more words of “well done” to balance out the “why didn’t you?” All restaurant servers deserve a sincere smile and most deserve a generous tip. Encourage those the Lord sends your way each day: these are His divine moments.

“You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts” (2 Corinthians 3:2-3).

Furthermore—the replenishment of others is reciprocal. When we take a short amount of time to extend kindness and care we receive the blessing of a thank you, a gentle hug, a grateful email or the satisfaction of representing Jesus well. What a privilege it is to be a conduit for Christ and connect two people who grow to love and appreciate each other. Encouragers decrease—while others increase—and all are filled with joy by faith in God.

When you give others hope—you become hopeful. When you give others peace—you become peaceful. When you give others faith—you become faithful. When you give others comfort—you become comforted. When you give others encouragement—you become encouraged. When you give others Jesus—you become like Jesus!

Who needs a hand written thank you note? Perhaps you set a goal to write two or three caring communications each day. Maybe give a new Bible to the maintenance worker at your office—ask him or her the names of their children and give them Bibles. Invite a couple to dinner to love on and listen to how they are doing. Drop by to see a family with a special needs child, just to see how they’re doing—and pray with them. No one normally complains of too much encouragement, so be a regular replenisher of courage. Most of all lead others to be refreshed by the Lord—His refreshment satisfies best.

“He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3).

How can I encourage my family and friends to be faithful followers of Jesus?

Related Readings: Psalm 19:7, 68:9; Proverbs 25:13; Acts 3:19; 1 Corinthians 16:18