Encouragement

A few years ago my wife and I went to a bed and breakfast for ministry couples. Honestly, we were at the end of our rope and just needed to breathe. Early the first morning we went down for breakfast and at our place setting was a little note, each person’s being different and quite random. I picked up my note card and the spot I chose to sit and it read, “Be kind for everyone is in a battle of their own.” It reminded me that I’m not the only one in a battle. We all have our own battle to fight regardless of the scale everyone is in the thick of it. The ministry of encouragement is a spiritual gift as well as an exhortation and when we become aware that everyone has their own battle we become better capable of nudging them forward.