Encouragement: The One Thing We Need to Keep Going

Encouragement, in its simplest form, has the power to uplift spirits, instill confidence, and propel us beyond our limitations. Yet, admitting our need for it can sometimes stir feelings of vulnerability or pride. Nevertheless, acknowledging this fundamental human need opens the door to a world of support, camaraderie, and shared experiences.

Encouragement is a basic need or perhaps a character flaw; I’m not quite sure. All I know is that I need encouragement, and I need it often. I have a feeling that you do too. Getting out of debt, living below our means, and learning how to manage our money can be a very discouraging proposition at times.

A bit of encouragement can uplift us and propel us forward. Admitting how much we need encouragement might sting our pride, but we can all benefit from a helping hand now and then.

Encourage one another

Encouragement means giving someone support, confidence, or hope, often through words that help or inspire them to keep going. It might be as simple as paying attention and listening. A comment or sincere words of praise can make all the difference to a friend who is feeling defeated.

Your encourager

I want to become an encourager in your life—someone you can count on to cheer you on in the good times and help you dust yourself off so you can get up and back on track during the bad.

I want to be the one you can always count on to help you see the big picture and point out the glimmers of joy in seasons of sorrow. I want to be there to help pull you up to the top of the mountain so you can see all the beauty below.

• MORE: Feeling Discouraged? Lighten Your Load

Finding support

Over the years, I have built up my own collection of “encouragers.” Some are people, but some are books, websites, and activities like exercise and prayer. I know the people, places, and things that are a source of encouragement for me. I count on them. They help me focus and give me the confidence to keep going. I try to concentrate more on them than on people and situations that tend to be “discouragers.”

At times, we all face self-doubt, insecurity, and discouragement, feeling like quitting instead of persevering. Often, all it takes is a bit of encouragement to keep going.

One of my favorite encouragers is a short essay written by Charles Swindoll, a well-known and beloved author. I’ve kept this short essay close to me for years and have read it so often that I’ve memorized it.

I want to encourage you to pay attention to your attitude. Print out the following if you can and then stick it in a place where you will see it first thing every morning. Re-read it. Apply it to your life for the day.

Do this for one whole month and you’ll have it committed to memory. In the process, you’ll have a new habit of choosing your attitude for the day, even before you choose what to wear. And how encouraging is that?

 

Attitude

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.

Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do.

It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company … a church … a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.

We cannot change our past … we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable.

The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it.

And so it is with you and me. We are in charge of our attitudes.”

— Charles Swindoll

 

I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for friends who have encouraged me, and prayed for me. You have given me an attitude of gratitude and a heart full of joy. Thank you!

• MORE: 6 Reasons We Need to Celebrate Soon—and Often!

 

Question: What are some of your favorite sources of encouragement, whether they’re people, books, websites, or activities? How do you stay motivated when facing challenges like managing finances or getting out of debt? Let’s share our go-to encouragers and lift each other up!

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