Encouraging Words

Pr 12:25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

I have a friend who is very negative. I know it is because of heaviness in her heart making her weary. She has health issues, personal issues, well you understand. Anytime we are together or talk on the phone all she does is whine, complain, etc. Now you might say, "well then why do you talk to her?". My family have asked the same question over the many years I have known her (since high school lol). It is because of the first thing I said about her. She is a friend. Now don't get me wrong, it is easier to do somedays then others, and I don't speak to her every day or even every week. But it is what God has called me to do. If I can say one good word, maybe I can help her feel better that day about something in her life. And I can always listen. That is my heart's desire in the situation anyway.

LK 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord the God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.

The first part of the verse is easy. I already do that. But when I deal with the last part of the verse is when it gets harder. This is why I never take calls from my friend before I spend time with the Lord. Actually I try not to take calls at all before my devotion time. It prepares me to deal with whatever or whoever the Lord brings in my path that day.

Col 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Is 50:4 The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary; he wakeneth morning by morning. he waketh in ear to hear as the learned.

It is so important that I have time with the Lord so He can fill me up. My friend is weary from all she has before her. She needs encouragement and I need the Lord's help to listen.

Lord, I pray you help me to be an encourager.