Life feels larger when a friend strengthens you with life-giving words. As you offer encouragement, remember to give the best word of all – the Word himself, Jesus Christ.
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada, and when I am in physical pain, it helps when friends offer life-giving words. Oh, sure, they’ll acknowledge my pain, but then they will commend me for a courageous outlook, or a hopeful spirit, or a persevering attitude. They’ll say, “Joni, with Christ I just bet you can do this; you can make it, and I’m here to help.” Words like that keep my perspective straight because pain can tend to shrink things. But life feels larger when a friend strengthens me with life-giving words. Like Proverbs says, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” Good words strengthen my heart, and they can help hurting people that you know, too. So, as you offer encouragement, remember the best word of all; give the Word himself, Jesus Christ – he always has wonderful words of Life.
© Joni and Friends