“(…) Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” Joshua 1:9

Which person newly invested in an eminently demanding function will not find in those words from the person who has appointed him, enough motivation to go beyond his own limits! Actually in such a context, only the sky will be his limit for that person will do anything, take unmatched risks, explore various possibilities and experiment as many as possible until he achieves the desired result. That’s the almost magic effect of a sincere encouragement that is timely given. (Prov. 15:23)

In his article “Encouragement, the most overseen of the world of work” inserted in l’Express of 2nd August 2012, Philippe Laurent, who is a lecturer, coach and trainer, wrote this: “To encourage is to give somebody who needs it courage for him to keep moving forward. It is giving energy to who is in the midst of a trial. It is being on the starting line to uphold he that is about the take a step, to start the race. It is to awake energy of he that no longer believes he can make it. To demand performance from another person or from oneself requires energy, will, tenacity and courage. Encouragement renews this last essential fuel to performance.”

Let’s imagine what our workplaces, our families, our churches and the society at large would be if each and everyone made it a habit to encourage! We are generally so prompt to focus on what is missing, what does not work thereby preferring to see the half-empty glass that we daily miss golden opportunities to strengthen self-confidence of our children or enhance the potential of our colleagues. So many families have been destroyed as a result of constant criticism from their members.

It does not matter the age or the domain, we all need encouragement. In the case of children, that need is even bigger. For Timothy Evans, a teacher, “children need encouragement as plants need water. With encouragement, a child understands he is valued and feels appreciated!”

Apostle Paul is champion in the art of encouraging. He risked his life many times to encourage others. It is true that the capacity of encouraging is not inborn in human beings. However, if we work for it, we surely will acquire it for our own good and that of others