Physically Changed

It doesn’t cost us anything, and is incredibly easy to do, yet it could be the best gift you could ever give someone.

Isaiah 41:1-29

Reference: v.10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (TNIV Bible)

Explore: When I was working in children’s ministry I had a great group of junior leaders who would help me out on a weekly basis. One young teenage boy who assisted on Sundays was Adam.

While he was quieter than the other more boisterous boys, he was the most helpful with the children. He was kind, prompt and patient and he was always willing to lend a helping hand.

One day Adam offered to help me move some equipment across our church campus. While we walked, we chatted about the ministry and how he was finding volunteering.

As we got closer to our drop off point I told Adam how much I appreciated his help. I told him that he was such a great assistant and I loved how patient he was with the children. I mentioned that the ministry was a better place because he was there.

I turned towards Adam to see how he would react to my encouragement and noticed that he literally grew a couple of inches in front of me. He stood tall, blushed a little, and humbly said thanks. But I will never forget the physical change my words of affirmation had on this young boy.

If that was the physical change, imagine how great the emotional change was!

Application: Seeing Adam stand taller after some simple, honest praise made me realize how little praise he must have been receiving in his life. In fact, many people go throughout the day never receiving any encouragement.

Encouragement is so powerful and it always means so much to us when we receive it. However, we are not always so generous in giving it away.

It doesn’t cost us anything, and is incredibly easy to do, yet it could be the best gift you could ever give someone.

We are constantly receiving encouragement from God as we read through the Scriptures. Read Isaiah 41:10 again.

What more could we want than having God’s support and strength behind us? God desires for us to stand tall and believe all the good He has to speak over our lives.

Let us not believe the put-downs of this world, but grow in the knowledge that God is there for us every step of the way.

Prayer: Lord, it’s so easy to compare myself with others and think less of myself. May I see myself through Your eyes and believe in the best that You have in store for me. Amen.

Be encouraged by God today. What are the positive things that God is speaking over your life right now?

encouragement, helper, Isaiah, ministry, praise, Scriptures