When encouraging a spouse or friend, don’t be afraid to get creative!
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada, asking, how do you encourage your spouse? One evening, Ken warmed my heart when he hugged me and said, “Joni, you may not be able to wash my shirts, but I just want you to know that you do so much for me.” You see, with my quadriplegia, I can’t do the typical things most wives do for their husbands, but I can find ways to support Ken in his hobbies and celebrate his accomplishments. I can encourage him to go fishing, to spend time with his buddies; I can applaud his wise and discerning words to our neighbor; I can praise his skill at our barbecue grill. First Thessalonians 5 says, “… encourage one another and build each other up.” Friend, when you give encouragement to your spouse or friend, be creative. With up-close and personal encouragement like that, you'll be doing more than lifting spirits, you'll be helping to build another's faith.
© Joni and Friends