When You’re a Hugger and Encourager

That’s me. I come from a family of huggers. So, throw me into a world of social distancing and stay-at-home orders and I’m really uncomfortable. Actually, my heart aches for our world that needs a good dose of love, compassion, understanding and HUGS. Let’s get the truth out there. God, the greatest of all lovers everywhere, didn’t cause this world to be locked up. Not our God Who “reached out and touched” the untouchable and loved the unlovable. It was our Lord’s mode of operation that He modeled for us from the feet of His disciples as He washed them as the greatest Servant of all. Our Lord was the One that crowds thronged around Him. He was the One Who called the little children to Him. He was the One who fed the thousands in a crowded situation. So, who is responsible?

It is the enemy of our souls – the greatest hater of all – the one who locks us up to keep us from loving, the one who would rather kill, steal and destroy our peace, our joy, our hope and our love. He is the one who tried to take our Lord out, once and for all, by crucifying him. He failed. It is he that has us locked up and away from others. But, he will not win. He is a loser in every way because we have read the end of The Book, the Bible, AND, we win!

A friend of mine posted on Facebook: “I hate Facebook”. I commented: “Oh please don’t hate it. It’s my mission field. We just have to let our little lights shine brighter so the darkness gets lit up with God’s love. I’ve learned to avoid the negative in every way. You have too many blessings to not share them. Love you so much sweet girl.” The truth is if we’re not the light and the encouragers, who will be? Sure I might need to stave off my hugging for the time being, but I can still encourage in word through social media, email, and when I am at church (yes, my church is following the 50% rule – sitting in every other pew and 6 feet apart). I can wave and blow kisses through my facemask. Encouragers just have to encourage.

Country Living magazine came out with more scriptures. I posted their encouragement in uncertain times’ scriptures a few weeks ago). Now they posted scriptures about encouraging others to brighten their day. I love this so much and I’m passing on excerpts from their article and scripture verses for you to use to encourage yourself and others.

“Encouragement is something we all need to keep us motivated, loved, and feeling confident in ourselves and what we do. It’s something that is important for our mental and overall health and it truly can give us just the same amount of joy to give it to others as it is to receive it. Because God created us and knows this about our personalities, he has provided countless verses in the Bible to not only encourage us but also to teach us the importance of lifting up those around us. Imagine how your community could change for the better with a little more encouragement between neighbors instead of community message boards filled with complaints. Or how strong your team at work could become if each person talked up their teammates’ work instead of their own accomplishments in order to get ahead. What a world that could be!”

** Hebrews 10:24-25 — “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds..”
** Psalm 31:24 — “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”
** Psalm 121:1-2 — “I lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
** Romans 15:2 — “Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.”
** John 16:33 — “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
** 1 Corinthians 16:13 — “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”
** Romans 8:31 — “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
** 1 Thessalonians 5:11 — “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
** Romans 15:5 — “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.”
** Romans 15:2 — “Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.”
** 1 Timothy 4:12 — “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”
** Isaiah 40:31 — “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
** Joshua 1:9 — “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
** 2 Timothy 1:7 — “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
** John 14:27 — “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
** Philippians 1:6 — “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
** John 15:13 — “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
** 1 Corinthians 10:13 — “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
** Galatians 6:2 — “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Thank you, Country Living magazine, for giving us exactly what we need to be encouraged and be encouragers!