Confused? Frustrated? Get encouraged!

J ust as the title states, encouragement was defined (dictionary) to be the action of giving someone support, confidence or hope. Some a...

Just as the title states, encouragement was defined (dictionary) to be the action of giving someone support, confidence or hope. Some also explained it as the boosting of one's confidence especially by an external body.

For me I will say, it's an act of uplifting or inspiring someone that is in a state of dilemma or despair. It is when you stimulate someone positively to continue to do more or to try something beneficial.  Encouragement doesn't come with being judgemental.



I have come across some people trying to encourage me, but they seem so judgemental with their statements and makes me wonder and even question my own ability. We're all humans and most times we tend to move towards someone that appreciates and encourages us without any condemnation or being judgemental. Yes, I do understand sometimes we can do things out of order but there are ways in which we can lovingly condemn someone's behavior and lovingly correct and put one back to order. This statement is not excluding me as I try to call myself to order when am derailing! No one is perfect after all.

While we all want to succeed in our activities, some people need a bit of push in order for them to succeed. Recently, I was planning to push the next stage of my career, all plans in place, goals were set, waiting for me to shoot and make the move. And then, confusion sets in, which births fear and  might eventually lead to failure. I was interrupted with so many fears of what if it doesn't work out? What if i'm just wasting my time? but after speaking with my sister and some friends, I got encouraged to shoot my gun (not the real gun, I mean the gun of action..lol). And I said to myself, even if I miss my target,  am determined to try again.

Before I started this blog,  I was discussing with Eb. It was evident I had all the plans laid out well and organised, only waiting for the perfect time to implement. I have spent several nights awake brainstorming on what-if? Fear of what-if it doesn't work out? what-if I have just been wasting my time? But the moment I put the discussion on, I was encouraged with the first statement he made and the rest is history. If the statement was demoralizing or negative, it might have birthed failure and we don't want that. Do we? It's amazing how a simple statement can make or break you. My point is we need to be careful in our choice of words. What do we want to be known for? An encourager or otherwise?

We all (both young and old) need to be encouraged at some point in our lives. Gaining approval from a significant order in one's life is very important as we grow. Encouraging someone can be in form of praise, when someone has done something good or to support someone when he or she has come short of their expectations. It is always important to focus on the efforts, strength and achievements of every individual and give constructive criticism where necessary with wisdom and gentleness.

Why encouragement is important?

Have you ever been in a situation of despair and all you needed to hear is "it will be okay" or "you are doing a good job". Those words are powerful and uplifting and it will go with you till the end of that day.

Encouragements prevents us from giving up even when we feel like it. It makes us go back to search our capability and we get the positive energy to want to do more. Encouraging someone motivates you and gives you a sense of positivity and makes you feel you have made a difference in someone's life.

I always try to share the good things happening to me and YES, the not-so-good as well. When a positive change happens in my life from an encouraging session., I want to practice the same to another person that is in need of uplifting at that point in time.You know why?, so I can remain HAPPY. Encouragement given to me or vice versa makes me a happy person.

Some people don't even know what to say when they see their fellow beings in difficult situations,. It's amazing how something as simple as "Stay strong" can mean to a "devastated and frustrated soul". Some few words that can be used to encourage are highlighted below:

You can do it!

Don't give up!

Try again!

Keep pushing!

It's almost over!

You are almost there!

As common and simple these words sounds, we all constantly want to hear these words on a daily basis if possible. We need to say these words with a convincing tone and also back it up with one or two words of prayer to the one that creates the whole universe.

My question to you, what do you want to be known for ? What do I want to be known for? An encourager or a horrible critic?