"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Genuine encouragement often seems in short supply these days. Yet, if I look back, I can’t discount those moments when genuine encouragement has made a huge difference in my life and in the life of others.

We are in another year of the Winter Olympics. Undoubtedly, as we watch people compete at the highest level in their chosen activity, we will also see people lined up cheering them on, validating their hard work, and supporting them whether they are disappointed or elated with their performance. Sometimes it is the encouragement and knowing you have people (a country) in your corner, that matters the most.

Whether we are taking a test, running a marathon, presenting a proposal at work, going through a difficult medical treatment or procedure, or facing a different challenging moment, when we hear people root for us, affirm us, or care about how we do, it matters. It gives us a little extra spring in our step or a little extra motivation. It gives us hope that whether we exceed our expectations or don’t quite reach them, at least we have someone that wants us to succeed and thrive and will be there for us if we don’t.

Parents, siblings, friends, co-workers, teachers, etc. are all great cheerleaders for us. However, nobody wants us to find our joy, our peace, and our path more than the Lord. God knew us before we were born. He knows every hair on our heads. The Lord’s love for us knows no limit and within it, we find immense encouragement that no matter what we “achieve,” we are beloved simply because we “are.” May our faith sustain us and may we use it to encourage faith in others, so no matter what is faced, we realize that we are incredibly blessed, because the Savior of the universe loves us!

Prayer: Lord, with You on our side, life is filled with possibilities and hope. Continue to encourage us and empower us so that we might be an encouragement to those around us. In Your great name we pray. Amen.