Blessed are You: The Gift of Holy Encouragement

I’ll never forget my first high school retreat when my youth pastor brought us into a circle to pray and encourage one another. The earnest words that came out of each teenager’s lips were certainly things we couldn’t have come up with on our own. The pieces of encouragement that resonated most deeply were the ones rooted in God’s word.

Close your eyes and think back to a time when someone’s words really lifted your spirits.

Christmas is a time of encouragement, which we show through appreciative cards and thoughtful gifts. We can even encourage others by taking the time to be with them and offering a hopeful presence.

There are many moments throughout the Bible when people experience or share encouragement, and one of my favorites is found in the Christmas story when Elizabeth and Mary greet each other in Luke 1: 39-45 (NIV).

³⁹ At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, ⁴⁰ where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 

⁴¹ When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 

⁴² In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! ⁴³ But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴ As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵ Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Notice that before Elizabeth speaks to Mary, she is filled with the Holy Spirit. Her words were not just her own; they were given to her by God himself.

But how can we encourage others as Elizabeth did?

For starters, before meeting with people, pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance on what to say. When we are open to speaking as God leads, the way we communicate with others will transform beautifully.

Now let’s focus on what the Holy Spirit says through Elizabeth.

Elizabeth begins by blessing Mary (and Jesus!), and then sharing how blessed she is to be with Mary. She expresses her gratitude and joy for their relationship. She finishes by affirming Mary in her calling and faithfulness to the Lord.

It’s easier to compliment others rather than encourage them. Compliments are often focused on superficial things, like a person’s appearance or what they are good at doing.

Encouragement comes from a deeper place because its ultimate goal is blessing others by affirming their God-given identity.

Is there anyone in your life who God is placing on your heart to encourage?

Consider both the people you see regularly, and perhaps others who have been forgotten in the past. It is such a blessing to shine God’s light through blessing others with loving words.

I pray you experience the gift of encouragement in your life this Advent season and beyond. ❤

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Proverbs 16:24 (NIV)

And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times.

Psalm 12:6 (NIV)