Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."¹

"A study was done by psychologist Dr. Henry H. Goddard, on energy levels in children. He used an instrument he called the 'ergograph.' How he ever got some children to stand still long enough to connect them to the machine is a mystery. But he did, and his findings are fascinating.

"He found that when tired children are given a word of praise or encouragement, the ergograph shows an immediate upward surge of new energy. When the children are criticized and discouraged, the ergograph shows their physical energy take a sudden nosedive."²

I'm sure the same principle applies to teenagers and adults of any age. When we are genuinely thanked, praised, and encouraged, we definitely feel much better and energized. And when we are criticized or just feel bad, our energy level certainly falls and we are de-energized.  

We all need to be encouraged daily ... so let's decide that we will first of all be encouragers ourselves, especially to those we love the most, to our friends, and also to strangers as opportunities arise.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to develop the gift of encouragement and use this gift liberally to all who come into my life who need a word of good cheer. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

1. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV).
2. From:  Holwick's Illustrations, http://www.holwick.com/. Cited on WITandWisdom by Richard Wimer. www.witandwisdom.org.

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