We do not always realize that our words really do make a difference, both for good and for bad, but God knows this. Paul was an apostle of Jesus who spent his adult life encouraging Christians. He wrote letters to the churches saying things like in the passage above. How do you think Paul’s words made the Christians in Philippi feel?
God made us for community, and far too often we forget to encourage and lift one another up. We forget to say that we truly thank God for each other. There is something really powerful that happens when we say or write words with the purpose of encouraging each other. Do not just assume that others know how you feel, but let them know the talents and gifts that you see in them. Take the opportunity today, or in the next few days, to encourage one another or someone you know. Just telling someone like your mom or grandparent “thank you” for something they may have done or provided for you, or telling your sibling you appreciate them, or maybe just letting a friend know that you are glad they are in your life–any of those things would mean so much to the person you are encouraging.