Swindoll, C. (1982). Encourage me. Portland, OR: Multnomah Press.

OVERVIEW

Swindoll writes: "...I submit that encouragement—genuine, warm-hearted encouragement—is an even more precious commodity than diamonds or dinosaur teeth or marbleized pearls, and infinitely more valuable. Encouragement is awesome." (p. 85)

Charles Swindoll places a high value on what encouragement is and can do. Encouragement has the capacity to lift one’s spirits, place a smile on a discouraged face, or change the direction someone is headed—not just for the moment, not just for the day, but for as long as life itself. That is powerful.

Discouraged people do not need critics. They are the best at that. They hurt enough already. They need a refuge. An encourager fills that need and provides a refuge or place to hide and heal.

Adolescence is full of pitfalls, disappointments, and self-image problems. Teens need an encourager. They need somebody who sees them, loves them, and makes them feel significant for whom and what they are. Being an encourager is a key to building a relationship with kids.

Swindoll lists several characteristics of an encourager:

• Cordial—put people at ease, sensitive to another’s feelings.
• Not loners, out of touch, distant, or unreachable.
• Credible—have genuine integrity.
• Tender—compassionate.
• Open to all possibilities.

William Barclay said, "One of the highest duties is the duty of encouragement...It is easy to laugh at men’s ideals; it is easy to pour cold water on their enthusiasm; it is easy to discourage others. The world is full of discouragers...Many a time a word of praise or thanks or appreciation or cheer has kept a man on his feet. Blessed is the man who speaks such a word."

IMPLICATIONS

1. Remember how you felt when you were last encouraged. You felt like somebody; you were important, worthwhile, and had value. This is how a youth worker needs to make others feel.
2. Encourage teens to be themselves—good or bad as they may think—and true to themselves. Accent the positive so they know what to feel good about within themselves.
3. It is a conscious decision to encourage another; it takes a strong commitment to be an encourager. Challenge yourself and others to make that commitment.

Anne Montague cCYS