Episode Details

How do we create a legacy that will make a difference? In today’s terminology, we might talk about your life’s gootprint—what kind of impact are you making in your world? All of us leave a legacy, whether we think about it or not. We create it by the way we live, the priorities of our lives, how we treat people, and how we love Jesus.

One way you can improve your life’s legacy is by being the best encourager you can possibly be. Go into each day with the intent of finding someone to encourage.

To encourage someone is to help them be courageous; to help them confidently face whatever they’re dealing with, to assure them that God is going to see them through. If you are very generous with your encouragement, you probably have no idea how many lives you touch with simple words of encouragement.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 and 14 remind us of this: Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing (11). And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all (14).

Recently I was talking with a friend who is in a new tough job of selling her services to large clients, and she was feeling very inadequate and a little frightened. But I just reminded her of all the experience and expertise she has accumulated through her very impressive career, and I gave her some courage to believe she can do this job. I reminded her how richly God has blessed her with unique abilities and expertise. At the end of our conversation, she was joyful and hopeful, and I realized again how often people just need some courage. They need someone to give them encouragement. It was a joy.

Who do you know needs encouragement? Could you set up a time to talk with them and generously give them some courage? And then any time in your day as you deal with people, including your children, mate, or coworkers, look for opportunities to give them some courage—to generously give them your encouragement.